Japanese Medical Team to Look into Chinese Victims

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, August 18, 2003

Japanese Medical Team to Look into Chinese Victims

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Japanese medical team has arrived in the city of Qiqihar, where mustard gas poisoning has injured more than 40 people. The deadly gas was abandoned by Japanese troops at the end of World War II. The eight medical experts will work with their Chinese counterparts to find ways to treat the victims. Earlier, another Japanese delegation had further de-contaminated and sealed the five canisters containing the gas.

This is one of the first two delegations sent by the Japanese government, after acknowledging the incident as resulting from the leakage of mustard gas left by Japanese troops at the end of WWII.

The team includes medical and chemical experts, headed by Fumihiro Kawakami, a Japanese foreign ministry official in charge of China affairs. He also led the Japanese delegation that investigated the event last week.

Fumihiro Kawakami said, "The purpose of the trip is to assist our Chinese colleagues in treating the victims of the incident. This time we have brought the best medical experts in the field with us. They will share their expertise and offer advice to our Chinese colleagues."

On Saturday afternoon the Japanese doctors and their Chinese counterparts held their first meeting at the No.203 Military Hospital, where 41 victims from the gas poisoning incident are seeking medical treatment. The most serious case, 31-year old Li Guizhen, is still fighting for life. Five victims are in serious condition while 25 others are steadily recovering. The hospital has been engaged in an effective rescue operation ever since the incident occurred.

But despite their best efforts, doctors are not sure if the patients will be able to fully recover. No thorough antidote has yet been developed to counter the mustard gas poisoning. Victims from similar incidents in the past have experienced various complications and after effects. These range from fear of sunlight, to a weak immune system that can lead to cancer.

The Japanese experts say they will try their best to assist Chinese doctors in their work. The team is expected to stay in Qiqihar for about a week.

This is the first time the Japanese government has dispatched a medical team to look into Chinese victims after such a gas poisoning case. But difficult negotiations still lie ahead, especially overcompensation to the victims who may develop life-long after effects, as well as the removal of the remaining chemical weapons abandoned by Japanese troops. China has lodged a strong request that the Japanese side should handle these issues in a speedy and sincere manner. It waits to be seen if the Japanese government can live up to its responsibility.

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