Chinese sue Japan over chemical weapons injuries

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

TOKYO, Jan 25 (Reuters) A group of Chinese injured in an accident involving chemical weapons abandoned by the retreating Japanese army that left one dead are demanding compensation from Tokyo, Kyodo news agency said today.

Scores of Chinese have been injured by poison gas shells left behind in World War Two by the Japanese army, and the discarded weapons are one of a range of war-related issues that have at times strained relations between the two nations.

According to a suit filed at the Tokyo District Court, 44 people suffered injuries including breathing difficulties, deteriorating eyesight and skin irritation after five barrels of mustard gas were unearthed at a construction site in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang in 2003.

One man died as a result of the incident in the city of Qiqihaer.

The Japanese government apologised and agreed to pay 300 million yen in compensation.

The plaintiffs are demanding 1.42 billion yen in compensation, Kyodo added. Court officials were not immediately available for comment.

China says Japanese forces left behind about two million chemical weapons shells in China, and more than 2,000 people have been harmed by them. Japan puts the figure in the hundreds of thousands.

Japan had pledged to clean up the weapons by this year, but later sought an extension, saying the deadline was impossible to meet.

China has complained about the slow pace of the disposals.

China still harbours painful memories of Japan's actions in the country before and during World War Two and has accused Tokyo of refusing to admit to atrocities committed by its soldiers during that period.

REUTERS MS PM1842

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