Families of Chinese wartime forced laborers sue 6 Japan firms

SHIJIAZHUANG, China - Fifty family members of Chinese wartime forced laborers filed a lawsuit Wednesday against six Japanese companies with a court in Shijiazhuang, a city in Hebei Province southwest of Beijing, with each plaintiff seeking about 370,000 yuan ($55,000) in compensation.

The six companies include construction firm Taisei Corp., Nittetsu Mining Corp. and heavy industry manufacturer IHI Corp. The plaintiffs are also seeking an apology published in at least 10 Japanese and Chinese media outlets, according to a representative.