A Chinese court impounded a ship owned by Japanese shipping giant Mitsui OSK.

The company that later became Mitsui leased two ships from a Chinese company in 1936.
The ships were confiscated by the Japanese military and never returned.

Relatives of the owner of the Chinese company brought suit against Mitsui in 2007 in a Shanghai court.

Mitsui was ordered to pay about 290 million yen in damages, but the company refused to follow the verdict.

The impounded ship is currently docked in the Chinese province of Zhejiang. Spokespersons at Mitsui OSK say they are investigating the incident.

This is the latest in a series of lawsuits filed in China in relation to Japan's activities during World War II.

A Japanese government spokesperson called the move "regrettable," saying Japanese companies may reduce their overall presence in China as a result.

Chinese officials say they plan to continue seizing Japanese assets related to similar claims.