Citizens' groups from Japan, five Asian countries and Taiwan will hold a mock trial in December in Tokyo of former Japanese soldiers over their treatment of sex slaves during the war.
An estimated 50 victims are planning to attend, according to organizers.
The Tokyo-based Violence Against Women in War-Network Japan said about 350 supporters of former sex slaves from China, Indonesia, North Korea, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan will also take part in the Dec. 8-12 Women's International War Crimes Tribunal.
In the five-day meeting, three legal experts -- one each from Australia, Pakistan and the United States -- will compile a mock indictment against former high-ranking officers of the Imperial Japanese Army and senior government officials.
About 700 Japanese will also attend the meeting. The name of the venue is being withheld for security reasons, however, out of fears of violent protests by rightwing groups.
The 50 former sex slaves, euphemistically referred to by Japan as "comfort women" during the war, will testify during the trial.
Judges will then hand down a ruling. The judges, whose identities have also been withheld, will be selected from countries outside those involved in organizing the meeting.
Yayori Matsui, a reporter-turned-leader of the Japanese organization, said, "It is necessary to punish the culprits of sex-related crimes during the war to prevent further violence against women" in wartime.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.