News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: POW Class Action Suit Filed

Date: April 02, 1999

A class action compalint has been filed by Girard & Green, LLP, on behalf of the US veterans of WW II, against all Japanese companies that used US POWs as forced laborers during the war.

To include - Nippon Sharyo, Ltd.; Mitsubishi Corp.; Showa Denko, Ltd.; Sumitomo Corp.; Yodogawa Steel Works, Ltd.; Nippon Steel Corp.; and Mitsui and Co., Ltd.

The suit lists violations of international law and inhumane conditions, violations for unjust enrishment, injuries in tort, and, unlawful, unfair and fraudulent busines praactices.

Many of the complainats are Bataan Death March survivors, a horrific event during which incalculable numbers of POWs were sent on a 6 day forced march... many thousands of POWs died as a result. The survivors were then sent to brutal camps and endured unimaginable horros at the hands of the Japanese. At the time of liberation, few eighed more than 70 pounds.

An attorney in the case stated, "In the United States, we have acknowledged errors in the treatment of American citizens of Japanese descent during World War II. It is fitting that Japanese businesses which benefited from the exploitation and abuse of captured Americans be similarly asked to square-up with the survivors or their family members."

For those interested in this suit, please contact:

Daniel C. Girard or Gordon M. Fauth, Jr. at Girard & Green, LLP, 160 Sansome Street, San Francisco, California 94104, telephone 415/981-4800, or by e-mail at pow@classcounsel.com.