Ruling nixes redress over germ warfare
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The Tokyo High Court on July 19 upheld a lower court decision denying Chinese plaintiffs compensation for germ warfare atrocities committed in China by the Imperial Japanese Army during the war.
The lawsuit, filed in 1997 and 1999 by 180 plaintiffs - survivors and relatives of deceased victims - had demanded ¥10 million in damages for each plaintiff and an apology from the Japanese government.
The plaintiffs said the Imperial army's infamous Unit 731 spread fleas infected with bubonic plague among the populace and gave them food and water laced with cholera, killing many civilians.
In August 2002, the Tokyo District Court recognized for the first time that Imperial army units, including 731, engaged in germ warfare, and that the state was responsible.
However, the court dismissed the compensation demands, Ruling that individuals have no right to sue for war damages.
The plaintiffs then appealed to the high court. (The Japan Times)
731部隊細菌訴訟で控訴棄却
東京高裁は19日、旧日本軍の「731部隊」による細菌戦で被害を受けたと訴える被害者や遺族による損害賠償請求を棄却した。
Shukan ST: July 29, 2005
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