BEIJING, March 19 -- Japan should seriously address issues of forced labor during its war of aggression, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday after a Chinese court accepted a lawsuit by forced laborers.

"China has always demanded Japan take a responsible attitude and seriously treat and properly handle the issues left over from history," spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing.

Hong's comments came a day after the First Intermediate People's Court of Beijing on Tuesday accepted a collective lawsuit by Chinese World War II laborers against Japanese companies. The group is seeking compensation and apologies from Japan.

Hong said recruiting labor by force was a severe crime committed by the Japanese military during World War II and deeply undermined Chinese victims' dignity and legitimate rights.