Chinese Chemical Warfare Victims Sue Japan

Chinese citizens exposed to chemical agent abandoned by Japan following World War II today sued the Japanese government for $11.8 million, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Dec. 21, 2006).

The plaintiffs are 43 people who were present in 2003 when construction workers ruptured a barrel containing toxic gas, along with five family members of a person who died following the accident.

The lawsuit also seeks compensation for medical costs and loss of income caused by health problems that resulted from the incident in the city of Qiqihar.

“Our ultimate goal is to get the Japanese government to set up a serious long-term relief fund,” said attorney Akira Ibori.  “We hope the lawsuit prompts the government to come to a realization about the seriousness of the damage from the abandoned chemical weapons.”

Plaintiffs say they suffer from blisters, poor vision, coughs and fatigue, AP reported.

Japan previously agreed to pay $2.7 million to the victims of the Qiqihar accident.  That is not enough to compensate for health care expenses and loss of income, according to the plaintiffs.

“It’s been more than three years since the accident and the Japanese government has not provided a satisfactory response,” said former construction worker Ding Shuwen.  “That makes us angry” (Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press/The China Post, Jan. 25).

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