Japan's Uniqlo apparel brand is suing Chinese rival Shein for allegedly copying its popular shoulder bag design. The apparel giant is demanding that the Chinese retailer stop selling the bags and pay damages of about 1 million dollars.

The Japanese casual clothing chain says it filed the lawsuit against Shein operators at the Tokyo District Court on December 28.

The suit argues that Shein sells items that closely resemble its Round Mini Shoulder Bag.

Uniqlo's operator says it "takes a resolute stance against any act that infringes on its intellectual property."

Shein says it offers clothes in more than 150 countries online with no brick-and-motor stores. Its low-priced products are made at small and medium-sized apparel factories in China and have earned a following among young women in the US and other countries.

A Shein spokesperson told NHK that the apparel seller respects other companies' intellectual property rights and takes seriously any claims that it is violating those rights.