Nagano court dismisses damages suit over Chinese forced laborers

Nagano court dismisses damages suit over Chinese forced laborers

NAGANO, Japan - The Nagano District Court dismissed on March 10 a damages suit filed by a group of former Chinese laborers, and family members of those already deceased, who were forced to work under harsh conditions at a construction site in Nagano Prefecture during World War II. After rejecting the plaintiffs' demand for 140 million yen in compensation, Presiding Judge Jiro Tsuji took the unusual step of offering a personal observation, ''Preceding generations did some terrible things, and I wish I could offer (the plaintiffs) some relief.'' (Pool photo)

Nagano court dismisses damages suit over Chinese forced laborers

Nagano court dismisses damages suit over Chinese forced laborers

NAGANO, Japan - Cang Xinshu (center in front row) and six other plaintiffs walk to the Nagano District Court to hear court ruling on their damages suit on March 10. The court later dismissed the suit in which they had demanded that the state pay 40 million yen in compensation. Presiding Judge Jiro Tsuji took the unusual step of offering a personal observation, ''Preceding generations did some terrible things, and I wish I could offer (the plaintiffs) some relief.''

Nagano court dismisses damages suit over Chinese forced laborers

Nagano court dismisses damages suit over Chinese forced laborers

NAGANO, Japan - The Nagano District Court dismissed on March 10 a damages suit filed by a group of former Chinese laborers, and family members of those already deceased, who were forced to work under harsh conditions at a construction site in Nagano Prefecture during World War II. After rejecting the plaintiffs' demand for 140 million yen in compensation, Presiding Judge Jiro Tsuji took the unusual step of offering a personal observation, ''Preceding generations did some terrible things, and I wish I could offer (the plaintiffs) some relief.'' (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

Nagano court dismisses damages suit over Chinese forced laborers

Nagano court dismisses damages suit over Chinese forced laborers

NAGANO, Japan - Cang Xinshu (center in front row) and six other plaintiffs walk to the Nagano District Court to hear court ruling on their damages suit on March 10. The court later dismissed the suit in which they had demanded that the state pay 40 million yen in compensation. Presiding Judge Jiro Tsuji took the unusual step of offering a personal observation, ''Preceding generations did some terrible things, and I wish I could offer (the plaintiffs) some relief.'' (Kyodo)