Ex-slave laborers toil for justice

Chinese people who were forced by the Japanese to work as laborers during the World War II stepped up their campaign for compensation on Wednesday, sending lawyer's letters to 20 corporations in Japan that benefited from their exploitation.

The workers are asking the companies for a minimum of $20,000 in compensation for each person as well as a formal apology, said Deng Jianguo, the chief lawyer among a team drawn from 120 Chinese law firms that is representing them.

More than 300 Japanese lawyers are also helping the cause.