A team of lawyers lodged a complaint with Japan's health ministry in Tokyo on Monday against the teachings of the Jehovah's Witnesses religious group. The complaint said the group's practices such as declining blood transfusions for their children could amount to child abuse.

The lawyers provide legal assistance to former followers of the group as well as to the children of group members.

About 100 people said in interviews with the team that they had been instructed by senior members of the religious group to refuse blood transfusions for their children.

Others said they were whipped by their Jehovah's Witness parents while growing up.

The lawyers say such practices may constitute child abuse.

Monday's action comes as the health ministry in December issued guidelines to municipalities stating that denying children necessary medical treatment, including blood transfusions, is neglect, a form of abuse.

The guidelines also state that resorting to such punishments as whipping a child constitutes physical abuse.

One of the lawyers, Tanaka Kotaro, noted that the team was able to hold meaningful discussions with ministry officials, as the two sides confirmed the need for cooperation in dealing with the problems.

The ministry has expressed its readiness to discuss what actions should be taken after scrutinizing the submitted report.

Jehovah's Witnesses maintains that the claims run counter to the facts.

Jehovah's Witnesses said it is heartbreaking that a wrong conclusion has been reached based on distorted reports from only those critical of the group.

They say they do not approve of blood transfusions for religious reasons.

The group maintains that medical decisions are made by individuals and their families, and should be made after sufficient discussion.