Chinese Court Orders Seizure Of Japanese Ship Over WWII Compensation
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A Chinese court over the weekend ordered the seizure of a Japanese ore carrier that had been docked in Zhejiang Province, claiming that the ship’s parent company had failed to pay compensations for claims incurred during World War II.
A Chinese court over the weekend ordered the seizure of a Japanese ore carrier that had been docked in Zhejiang Province, claiming that the ship’s parent company had failed to pay compensations for claims incurred during World War II.
In a notice placed on its website, the Shanghai Maritime Court claimed that Japanese shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd had leased two ships from a Chinese man named Chen Shuntong prior to WWII – and when war erupted Mitsui stopped paying rent for the ships and never returned the two vessels.
The Shanghai Maritime Court ruled in December 2007 that the Mitsui Group should pay 2.9 billion yen ($28.3 million) in compensation for the case, which was first filed in 1988.
The ship that was seized by the court was a 320-metre long ore carrier called the Baosteel Emotion. It is currently still docked at Majishan port in Zhejiang, according to Bloomberg.
Speaking to Bloomberg, a Mitsui spokesman, Atsushi Seki, expressed surprise of the seizure. “We first received notice from our China office,” he said, in an interview by telephone. “We are checking the details of the case and we are currently studying the best solution.”
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga also told a regular news conference that his government was asking the Chinese government to provide information on the ship seizure and expected Beijing to take appropriate action.
Suga argued that the seizure “fundamentally challenges the spirit of Japan-China diplomatic relations” normalized in a 1972 treaty, when China agreed to give up its rights to reparations.
However recent actions by Japanese government officials may have sparked Chinese reactions. Aside from the ongoing conflict surrounding the Diaoyu/ Senkaku Islands, China has warned of Japan’s growing nationalist movement.
Related: Why A China-Japan Conflict Will Cause A Global Economic Catastrophe
Related: Why A Major War In Asia Is Unlikely
In December, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Yasukuni Shrine, seen by critics as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism. Although he was heavily criticised for the visit, even by allies such as the U.S., Abe chose to deliver an offering, though he did not go down again, to the shrine on Saturday.
Suga declined direct comment on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ritual offering. He did however say the premier’s offering was made in a private capacity.
