Presiding Judge Koji Iwata said in handing down the ruling, "The evidence shows that the Japanese troops, including Unit 731 and others, used bacteriological weapons under the order of the Imperial Japanese Army's headquarters and that many local residents died."
The plaintiffs claimed that the unit released fleas infected with bubonic plague and food dosed with cholera bacteria in Zhejiang and Hunan provinces between 1940 and 1942, killing many civilians.
The plaintiffs asserted that the actions of the Japanese troops violated international laws on the safety of occupied peoples and the civil codes.
They also accused the government of trying to hide the facts about the germ warfare and not taking any steps to redress the victims.
The government rejected the allegations, saying individuals have no right to seek compensation under international laws.
The government also said it has no responsibility to compensate for acts conducted before the State Redress Law was enacted after the war, and that it has no legal responsibility to reveal the facts about germ warfare to the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs claimed that the unit released fleas infected with bubonic plague and food dosed with cholera bacteria in Zhejiang and Hunan provinces between 1940 and 1942, killing many civilians.
The plaintiffs asserted that the actions of the Japanese troops violated international laws on the safety of occupied peoples and the civil codes.
They also accused the government of trying to hide the facts about the germ warfare and not taking any steps to redress the victims.
The government rejected the allegations, saying individuals have no right to seek compensation under international laws.
The government also said it has no responsibility to compensate for acts conducted before the State Redress Law was enacted after the war, and that it has no legal responsibility to reveal the facts about germ warfare to the plaintiffs.