Guo Xicui and the family of Hou Qiaolian, who died in 1999 after the suit was filed, had been seeking a combined ¥46 million in compensation and an apology from the government.

The Tokyo District Court dismissed the case in March 2002.

Presiding Judge Hiromu Emi acknowledged that the women had been forcibly held and raped by Japanese soldiers, and that they had been wounded physically and psychologically.

However, he said their right to seek damages "has been disclaimed and expiated with the (1952) signing of the Treaty of Peace Between Japan and the People's Republic of China."

Emi also said the statute of limitations under the Civil Code, which gives claimants 20 years to file for damages, had elapsed.

The Japan Times Weekly: March 26, 2005
(C) All rights reserved