Japan top court rejects wartime Chinese damage lawsuit 　

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-28-2007 09:27

In Japan, the Supreme Court has overturned a landmark ruling that had ordered a Japanese company to pay Chinese who were forced to work in Japan during World War II. The court also rejected a lawsuit filed by former wartime Chinese sex slaves.

Friday's final ruling came as a bitter blow to the five plaintiffs who had demanded an apology and compensation from the Tokyo-based Nishimatsu Construction Company.

Shao Yicheng, Plaintiff, said, "The ruling is nothing but an evasive statement. The Supreme Court obviously tried to dodge its responsibility."

It's been a 9-year legal battle for the five plaintiffs, who filed their damages suit in 1998. The men were among some 360 Chinese forced by Nishimatsu to work under harsh conditions before the end of World War Two .