The U.S. District Court for Washington D.C. held a hearing Wednesday on a complaint filed by former "comfort women" who had been subjected to sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War Two.
Acting on behalf of 15 women from South Korea, China, Taiwan and the Philippines, the plaintiffs' lawyer said such slavery was an act of commerce committed by Japanese companies and the Japanese government.
He accused the U.S. government of siding with the Japanese government, saying Washington took a completely different attitude with Jewish plaintiffs who filed compensation claims against Germany after being forced to work under Nazi rule.
Representatives of the Japanese government emphasized their immunity status and contended that war crimes against humanity were an abuse of power and military command, not commercial actions.
An attorney from the U.S. Justice Department said the matter lies outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts since it involves a foreign government's immunity privileges.
The presiding judge closed the 90 minute hearing by saying the decision on whether or not the petition will be dismissed on technical grounds would be made at a later date.