War veterans submit letter of protest

Veterans of the Second World War submitted a letter of protest to the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, shortly before he received Emperor Akihito of Japan for lunch.

In their letter the veterans outlined their reasons for requesting a fuller apology and more compensation for the way they were treated in Japanese prisoner of war camps.

The Prime Minister's office told them Mr Blair would meet them during the next two weeks.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service