Tokyo, Sep 02: Japan plans to pay about 100 million yen (857,000 dollars) to the relatives of a Chinese man who died and others who were injured by mustard gas left by retreating Japanese troops in World War II, a report said today. The government is considering offering financial support to a Chinese medical team and "sympathy money" to the bereaved family of a man who died, the Yomiuri newspaper said, quoting cabinet office and foreign ministry sources.

A Chinese man who came in contact with the lethal gas died from massive burns last month. Some 32 victims remain in hospital. The Yomiuri said Japan was also considering paying hospital bills and the cost of sealing the gas containers to prevent further leaks.

The money is not considered formal compensation by Tokyo but as part of Japan's project to dispose of left-over weapons by 2007, the daily said.
The Japanese government maintains China does not have the right to claim war-related compensation as it forfeited that right when the 1972 Sino-Japan joint declaration was signed to normalise diplomatic ties.

A Japanese government official said the government had not decided on the payment of any money but added: "We will deal with the matter sincerely in close cooperation with China." Bureau Report