China seizes Japanese ship over wartime claim

The Shanghai Maritime Court during the weekend seized a cargo ship belonging to Japanese conglomerate Mitsui OSK Lines (9104.TYO) over legal claims related to the Second World War, Financial Times reported, citing a statement on the court’s website. The ship had been ferrying Australian iron ore to China’s flagship steel mill Baosteel. Japan was quick to denounce the confiscation of the vessel. The Chinese foreign ministry called the case “a common commercial contract dispute.” For many years China discouraged wartime claims by its citizens against Japan, but no longer does so amid escalating tensions between the two countries.