Japan Press Weekly

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2015 February 25 - March 3 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Court rejects claims for compensation by Chinese victims of Japan’s air raids during war

The Tokyo District Court on February 25 dismissed plaintiffs’ demands for apology and compensation from the Japanese government for the damage caused by the Japanese military’s air raids on China during the Sino-Japanese War.

The plaintiffs are 188 Chinese victims of the Japanese bombings.

During the period between February 1938 and December 1944, Japanese bombers attacked Chongqing City and across Sichuan Province more than 200 times, leaving over 100,000 people dead or injured.

After handing down the rejection ruling to the plaintiffs, the presiding judge left the courtroom without providing any explanation about the ruling.

At a press conference after the ruling, plaintiffs’ lawyers pointed out that the court dismissed all the claims while acknowledging the illegality of Japanese air raids on non-military facilities. They criticized the court for not following the principle to defend social justice and human rights.

One of the plaintiffs said, “The air raids by Japan killed my family and destroyed my home. I am angry about the decision.” Another stressed, “The judgment is unfair and we will keep fighting to obtain an apology from the Japanese government.”

The plaintiffs and lawyers said they will appeal to a higher court.