May 22, 2008
The Tokyo High Court on May 21 ordered the author and the publisher of a book on the Nanjing Massacre to pay four million yen in damages to a survivor of the tragedy, upholding a lower court decision acknowledging that the book discredited her.
The plaintiff, Xia Shunqin, 78, survived the Japanese soldiers’ attack despite being bayoneted, but all seven other members of her family were slaughtered in the 1937 genocide.
The book that described Xia as a bogus victim was written by Higashinakano Shudo, a right-wing professor at Asia University under the title “Complete Investigation into the Nanjing Massacre” and was published by Tendensha.
Xia sued Higashinakano and Tendensha demanding 15 million yen in compensation for libel.
During the trial, Higashinakano denied the allegation of discrediting Xia, claiming that the filmed scenes of holocaust are fabricated and that the girl in the footage is not Xia.
The court rejected the defendants’ argument.
In a statement published later in the day, Xia’s lawyers appreciated the court judgment and criticized forces who glorify Japan’s past war of aggression.
The statement emphasized, “Facing up to the historical fact and accepting it is the only way to show remorse over the history of aggression and help to create genuine peace in Asia.”
Learning about the court ruling in China, Xia said, “On behalf of myself and all victims of the Nanjing Massacre, I feel very happy that the court has recognized the facts.” - Akahata, May 22, 2008
The plaintiff, Xia Shunqin, 78, survived the Japanese soldiers’ attack despite being bayoneted, but all seven other members of her family were slaughtered in the 1937 genocide.
The book that described Xia as a bogus victim was written by Higashinakano Shudo, a right-wing professor at Asia University under the title “Complete Investigation into the Nanjing Massacre” and was published by Tendensha.
Xia sued Higashinakano and Tendensha demanding 15 million yen in compensation for libel.
During the trial, Higashinakano denied the allegation of discrediting Xia, claiming that the filmed scenes of holocaust are fabricated and that the girl in the footage is not Xia.
The court rejected the defendants’ argument.
In a statement published later in the day, Xia’s lawyers appreciated the court judgment and criticized forces who glorify Japan’s past war of aggression.
The statement emphasized, “Facing up to the historical fact and accepting it is the only way to show remorse over the history of aggression and help to create genuine peace in Asia.”
Learning about the court ruling in China, Xia said, “On behalf of myself and all victims of the Nanjing Massacre, I feel very happy that the court has recognized the facts.” - Akahata, May 22, 2008
