(A forced laborer signs the deal. Photo: China News Service) |
Eight Chinese forced laborers in Japanese companies during World War II have each received a compensation of 100,000 yuan from Japan's Mitsubishi Materials, the first group of the Chinese forced laborers during WWII to receive compensation, media reported.
The eight people have signed a deal with Mitsubishi to agree on a settlement, but they said they will go on demanding an apology from the Japanese government, China News Service (CNS) reported Wednesday.
According to Tong Zeng, chairman of the Chinese Association for Claiming Compensation from Japan, a total of 14 Chinese forced laborers that work for Mitsubishi during WWII have been located and the other six are going through procedures, CNS reported.
Tong added that the number of identified family members of the deceased forced labors for Mitsubishi is around 1,000. The association will work to pay compensation for the family members in the next step, but it will require another round of verification.
Due to the large number of family members of forced labors, Mitsubishi will commission the money to some Chinese foundation under the administration of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which will then be responsible for the follow-up payment, Tong was quoted by CNS.
Mitsubishi said about 39,000 Chinese laborers were forcibly taken to Japan, and 3,765 of them were compelled to work in poor conditions at Mitsubishi Mining Co, the firm's predecessor. According to the Xinhua News Agency, a total of 722 of those Chinese workers died.
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