Event commemorating Chinese forced labors held in Odate

ODATE, Japan - A Chinese survivor and some relatives of late forced labors on Tuesday held with officials from Japan's Odate city in northeast Japan an event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of an uprising by Chinese forced labor who worked here during World War II.

Relatives of Chinese forced labors protest during a press conference in Osaka, Japan June 26, 2015.??[Photo/Agencies]

About 147 Chinese forced labors died of tortures and cruel works in a labor camp located in Hanaoka in the Akita Prefecture's city, and a total of 282 Chinese forced labors were killed during their uprising on June 30, 1945 fighting for their dignity and freedom.

Zhang Guangxun, one of the several living survivors of the uprising, came to Odate for the fifth time to commemorate their fight. The 87-year-old survivor, along with other relatives of late forced labors, filed a suit last week against the Japanese government in Osaka demanding apology and compensation.

Wang Jingxin, daughter of a late forced labor, said during the event that their fighting will not stop until victory.

Junji Fukuhara, the mayor of Odate, said that the tragedy of Hanaoka should not occur again and Japan should respect the history facts so as to avoid past mistakes repeating themselves.

About 200 people from the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, Odate city as well as other parts of Akita Prefecture, and Japan-China friendship groups participated in the event.