Two Chinese youths injured by a chemical weapon abandoned in China by the Imperial army at the end of the war sued the Japanese government Thursday for ¥66 million.
Sho Dong, 15, and Lui Hao, 11, both from Dunhua, Jilin Province, say they began to suffer chronic respiratory ailments and deteriorating eyesight after coming across an unexploded shell near their home in July 2004. The two say they were exposed to leaked poisonous liquid while handling the mustard gas shell.
Japan has expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging in 2004 that the shell was left behind by the Japanese military at the end of World War II. But according to the plaintiff's lawyer, Katsuhiko Yamada, Japan has not provided any financial or medical support to the boys despite repeated requests.