Former POWS make final appeal for compensation from Japanese government

Three former prisoners of war have been telling a court in Japan about their treatment in Japanese labour camp during the second World War.

The BBC Tokyo correspondent says it was an emotional session -- one of the veterans Arthur Titherington from Britain broke down in tears as he spoke about the regular beatings that he other prisoners endured.

The three men -- from Britain, the United States and New Zealand -- are representing twenty-five thousand labour camp survivors seeking compensation and a formal apology from the Japanese government.

The BBC Tokyo correspondent says Japan believes international agreement has already been reached on the compensation issue and fears that any award in this case would open the floodgates to other claims.

A verdict is expected in June.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service