Former Japanese prisoners of war did not disguise their bitterness today at a court's decision to dismiss their claims for compensation and an apology.

No one can be surprised that they feel insulted. This latest fight for justice began in July 1994. It took Japan's legal system four and a half years to reach a verdict. Then it was delivered in 20 seconds.

The former PoWs have had to live with the mental scars of the torture and terror they suffered at the hands of the Japanese prison camps for more than 50 years.

For most of that time they endured this ordeal in stoic silence. But today's judgement was one indignity too many.

It prompted fury. One of the victims, Arthur Titherington, even risked arrest by spitting on the doorstep of the Japanese parliament, his anger was so great. Another campaigner condemned it as "disgusting", and a solicitor said he was "desolate".

For those of us who were not there, it can be easy to suggest that the former prisoners should forgive and forget. But their experiences were so harrowing that they cannot forget.

Japanese camp internees were starved, beaten and ritually humiliated. More than 14,000 Britons died in the camps.

Many others were permanently disabled. Families were torn apart and lives were ruined.

For that, the survivors were awarded £76. Even in the 1950s that could not be considered a princely sum.

The former prisoners were not asking the earth from the Japanese government today. They wanted £13,500 in compensation. That could have cost the Tokyo authorities £290 million in total. Even during the current recession, this most wealthy of nations could have easily afforded the pay-out.

But this battle has never been about money. It is about Japan taking responsibility for its actions. It is about the former PoWs finally receiving a proper apology for their treatment.

Japanese society is very different to our own. Saying sorry is considered a sign of weakness.

But however difficult the nation finds it to apologise, that is nothing compared to the ordeal the veterans went through.

In the Second World War, Japan flagrantly flouted international conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war.

By refusing to properly acknowledge their guilt, they perpetuate the pain.

We cannot be sure how many former internees have died in the four years it has taken to reach today's verdict. Even fewer will be here to see the appeal to its finish in another two years' time. That is the greatest shame of today's decision.

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