A Japanese company that places students in American colleges is being sued by Lewis-Clark State College for unpaid tuition and other bills.

Lewis-Clark has filed a lawsuit against Pacific International Institute and its parent corporation, Eishih-Gakuen of Japan. The college claims it is owed more than $120,000.

Although Eishih has denied liability for Pacific International’s debt, the college is asking the court to find the company responsible for some or all of the unpaid bills.

Lewis-Clark also has filed and has been granted a writ of attachment against property owned by Pacific International in Lewiston.

In the lawsuit, filed last Wednesday in 2nd District Court, the college seeks payment of $111,552.32 in unpaid tuition, fees and other charges. The suit asks for an additional $9,314.25 for rent, goods and services provided to Pacific International by the college.

Pacific International students were caught off-guard when the institute that had recruited them from Japan and other Asian countries failed to make tuition payments to Lewis-Clark. The students had paid tuition to Pacific International, but the institute did not forward the money to Lewis-Clark.

Pacific International President Hisae Hosoi said financial problems were brought on by rising tuition costs and the economic instability plaguing many Asian countries.