The Tokyo District Court rejected a damages suit Wednesday against Kanematsu Corp. by six women who said they suffered gender-based wage discrimination at the trading house.

In their lawsuit, the women, three of whom still work for the company, had sought a combined 319 million yen in damages. They said the firm's policy of paying men and women different wages is not only illegal but also irrational and discriminatory.

The plaintiffs said they performed the same jobs as their male colleagues.