The Japanese government is holding briefings in which it is instructing Japanese companies that are being sued by Koreans who were conscripted into forced labor during Japan’s colonial occupation not to compensate the plaintiffs or even settle with them...These briefings are being jointly organized by related ministries...The Japanese government is planning to actively help these companies respond to the lawsuits and is expected to consider covering their legal fees as well.  On Oct. 30, South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s decision ordering Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Co...to pay...damages to four Koreans forced to work for the company.  There are over 70 Japanese companies (including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nachi-Fujikoshi and IHI Corporation) that are currently facing similar lawsuits in South Korea...