Victims of toxic gas leak by Japanese army to appeal

The victims of a fatal toxic gas leak from containers left behind by the Japanese army during World War II would appeal to Japan's supreme court after their compensation demand was rejected.

A liaison for the Japanese lawyers that serve as the victims's counsel told Xinhua on Sunday that they would start the appeal proceedings in recent days, adding that a representative of the victims is now in Tokyo lobbying Japanese lawmakers.

The Tokyo High Court upheld Friday a lower court decision that rejected the victim's compensation demand, denying the Japanese government's responsibility to collect the weapon due to no detailed information on its location.

The leak in Qiqihar City in 2003 left more than 40 people wounded with one death. The Japanese government agreed to pay 300 million yen for disposing of abandoned chemical weapons.

The victims, however, are demanding compensation for their medical expenses. They told Xinhua that they have been afflicted since they were injured in the leak.

Niu Haiying has been weak as a result of the injury while her child is also not in a good shape, her husband Hao Yanzhi said. The woman is now in hospital receiving treatment.

Yang Shumao, a victim in Sanhe Township of Qiqihar, said he always feels pain since the injury.

Qiqihar was where Japan's chemical weapon troops were located during World War II. Weapons abandoned by the troops have been frequently found in recent years, posing threat to local people.

Chi Susheng, a lawyer based in the city and a national lawmaker, said the Japanese courts' rulings were ridiculous, and he will continue to offer help and support to the victims.