This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7318560.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Judges dismiss Japan WWII libel Judges dismiss Japan WWII libel
(4 days later)
Japanese judges have thrown out a libel case against Nobel prize-winning author Kenzaburo Oe, who was accused of lying about the country's war time past.Japanese judges have thrown out a libel case against Nobel prize-winning author Kenzaburo Oe, who was accused of lying about the country's war time past.
Mr Oe's book Okinawa Notes claims that the Japanese military ordered hundreds of civilians to commit suicide as US troops advanced during World War II.Mr Oe's book Okinawa Notes claims that the Japanese military ordered hundreds of civilians to commit suicide as US troops advanced during World War II.
A retired army officer and another man said the military never gave the order, but the court dismissed their claim.A retired army officer and another man said the military never gave the order, but the court dismissed their claim.
Analysts say the ruling vindicates Mr Oe's views on Okinawa's history.Analysts say the ruling vindicates Mr Oe's views on Okinawa's history.
'Deeply involved''Deeply involved'
The legal battle pitted two retired officers - including one who thought he recognised himself in the book - against Japan's best-known living author.The legal battle pitted two retired officers - including one who thought he recognised himself in the book - against Japan's best-known living author.
The claimants had wanted the book banned and claimed 20m yen ($200,000; £100,000) in compensation.The claimants had wanted the book banned and claimed 20m yen ($200,000; £100,000) in compensation.
Judge Toshimasa Fukami did not rule on whether the military ordered the mass suicides, but he concluded: "The former Imperial Japanese Army was deeply involved in the mass suicides."Judge Toshimasa Fukami did not rule on whether the military ordered the mass suicides, but he concluded: "The former Imperial Japanese Army was deeply involved in the mass suicides."
The ruling gives legal weight to the notion that the Japanese army coerced Okinawans into killing themselves when it became evident that the Japan's most southern outposts were about to fall to American troops.The ruling gives legal weight to the notion that the Japanese army coerced Okinawans into killing themselves when it became evident that the Japan's most southern outposts were about to fall to American troops.
The judge noted that Japanese officers handed grenades to the locals, and that the suicides - possibly as many as 1,000 - occurred only on islands where army posts were located.The judge noted that Japanese officers handed grenades to the locals, and that the suicides - possibly as many as 1,000 - occurred only on islands where army posts were located.
Right-wing nationalists have long been locked in an ideological battle with left-wing intellectuals like Mr Oe, whom they see as unpatriotic muckrakers.Right-wing nationalists have long been locked in an ideological battle with left-wing intellectuals like Mr Oe, whom they see as unpatriotic muckrakers.
The government last year sought to tone down references to mass suicides in history textbooks - although the move was rescinded after tens of thousands of Okinawans took to the streets to protest.The government last year sought to tone down references to mass suicides in history textbooks - although the move was rescinded after tens of thousands of Okinawans took to the streets to protest.
Mr Oe won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1994.Mr Oe won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1994.