Family of late ‘comfort woman’ sues Japanese government, first case in China

The family of a former Chinese “comfort woman” who claims to have worked in Japanese military brothels has sued the Japanese government, demanding an apology and compensation in what is believed to be the first lawsuit against Tokyo filed in China.

The lawsuit has been filed in a high court in Shanxi province, a lawyer for the dead woman’s family said Monday. It is not yet known whether the court will accept the case.

Similar compensation cases brought by former Chinese comfort women in Japan have all been dismissed. However, the family took action after a South Korean court ruling last year in favor of a group of former comfort women, the lawyer said.

Related coverage:

South Korea’s Supreme Court upholds wartime labor ruling against Japanese company

Compensation settlement for ‘Comfort Women’ completed: South Korean ministry

South Korea court overturns Japan’s immunity from ‘comfort women’ lawsuit