Asia

Mitsubishi Materials, Chinese WWII slave workers reach deal

Associated Press
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In this April 2, 2014 photo, Chinese forced laborers, second and third from left, and bereaved families stand during a memorial gathering before suing a file against Mitsubishi Materials Corp. in front of High People's Court in Shijiazhuang, China's Hebei Province. Mitsubishi Materials Corp., one of dozens of Japanese companies that used Chinese forced laborers during World War II, reached a settlement, its first ever involving forced laborers, Wednesday, June 1, 2016, with Chinese victim groups that includes a company apology and compensation. (Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, CREDIT MANDATORY (The Associated Press)

Ma Wenyi, center, holding a photo of his father who was forced to work during World War II at a mine for Mitsubishi Mining Corp., shouts as he demands to join a press conference in Beijing Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Mitsubishi Materials Corp., one of dozens of Japanese companies that used Chinese forced laborers during World War II, reached a settlement with thousands of victims on Wednesday that includes compensation and an apology. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (The Associated Press)

Ma Wenyi whose father was one of thousands forced to work during World War II at a mine for Mitsubishi Mining Corp., cries as he demands to join a press conference in Beijing Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Mitsubishi Materials Corp., one of dozens of Japanese companies that used Chinese forced laborers during World War II, reached a settlement with thousands of victims on Wednesday that includes compensation and an apology. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (The Associated Press)

Mitsubishi Materials Corp., one of dozens of Japanese companies that used Chinese forced laborers during World War II, has reached a settlement with Chinese victim groups that includes a company apology and compensation.

Mitsubishi Materials said Wednesday afternoon that the settlement, its first ever involving forced laborers, will be formally announced later in the day in Tokyo and Beijing, but did not give details.

Japan's Kyodo News agency said that under the agreement, the company will pay 100,000 yuan ($15,000) each to more than 3,000 Chinese victims and their families, and will also offer an apology.

The victims are among about 40,000 Chinese brought to Japan in the early 1940s as forced laborers to make up for a domestic labor shortage. Many died due to violence and malnutrition.