Japan court refuses to compensate victims
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-19 15:36

A Japanese court rejected a compensation lawsuit filed by 10 Chinese survivors of Japanese atrocities including the 1937 Nanjing massacre, amid tension between the two nations over Tokyo's wartime past.

One of 10 Chinese plaintiffs Jing Lanzhi, 83, speaks to her daughter Guo Manli during a press congference in Tokyo Tuesday, April 19, 2005. [AP]

The decision by the Tokyo High Court is consistent with repeated rulings in Japan, which says any compensation for World War II crimes is a bilateral issue between countries rather than a case an individual can bring before the courts.

The Tokyo High Court refused to hear an appeal by the women, whose case had already been dismissed by a district court. They can still go to the Supreme Court.

Plaintiffs left the courtroom holding a banner that read, "Unjust verdict."

The plaintiffs had sought 100 million yen (930,000 dollars) for atrocities including the Nanjing massacre, bombings by Japanese forces and the "Unit 731" that performed medical experiments on humans.

Chinese plaintiffs, including families of the victims, and Japanese supporters arrive at the Tokyo High Court with the banner demanding apology and compensation for the victims of germ warfare conducted by the former Japanese imperial army during World War II in Tokyo Tuesday, April 19, 2005. [AP]

Japan this month enraged China and South Korea by approving a textbook that downplays atrocities such as the Nanjing massacre -- a week-long orgy of murder, rape and destruction by Japanese troops in the occupied city.

China says some 300,000 civilians were butchered in the massacre. US-led trials of Japanese war criminals documented 140,000 victims. The nationalist textbook only says that "many" Chinese died in the "incident."

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