A Japanese provincial council has adopted a petition urging Tokyo to apologize for its role in organizing sex slavery of foreign nationals during World War Two.

The city council of Takarazuka in Hyogo prefecture became Japan's first provincial authority to adopt the petition on Tuesday. It called on the central government to investigate the matter, apologize to the victims and take sincere measures.

In a standing vote, 24 of the 25 council members voted for adoption.

Similar resolutions have been adopted by national lawmaking bodies in the United States, Canada and Europe, but this is the first in Japan.