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| Mitsubishi Materials in deal with WW2 forced labourers | Mitsubishi Materials in deal with WW2 forced labourers |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Japan's Mitsubishi Materials has agreed a deal with Chinese groups seeking compensation for workers who were used as forced labourers in World War Two. | Japan's Mitsubishi Materials has agreed a deal with Chinese groups seeking compensation for workers who were used as forced labourers in World War Two. |
| The settlement covers some 3,700 victims who will receive 10,000 yuan ($15,000, £10,400) each and an apology. | |
| At a signing ceremony in Beijing, the company expressed its "sincere apologies" to the workers. | At a signing ceremony in Beijing, the company expressed its "sincere apologies" to the workers. |
| About 40,000 Chinese were brought to Japan in the early 1940s to make up for a domestic labour shortage. | About 40,000 Chinese were brought to Japan in the early 1940s to make up for a domestic labour shortage. |
| Those now eligible for compensation were forced to work at 10 coal mines operated by the company, then known as Mitsubishi Mining Corp. | Those now eligible for compensation were forced to work at 10 coal mines operated by the company, then known as Mitsubishi Mining Corp. |
| The settlement comes two years after Chinese citizens seeking compensation from Japanese firms filed a case in a Chinese court. | The settlement comes two years after Chinese citizens seeking compensation from Japanese firms filed a case in a Chinese court. |
| Since then, at least two other Japanese construction firms have agreed to compensate victims. | Since then, at least two other Japanese construction firms have agreed to compensate victims. |
| Last year, Mitsubishi apologised for using US prisoners of war as forced labour during World War Two. | Last year, Mitsubishi apologised for using US prisoners of war as forced labour during World War Two. |
| Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the Chinese government was aware of the move. | |
| "The forced recruitment of slave labour was a great crime committed by Japan," she said. "We hope that Japan will take a responsible attitude toward history." |