Several citizens' groups have adopted a petition calling on the government to enter negotiations with South Korea to resolve the issue of former sex slaves, known as "comfort women," exploited by the Japanese wartime military.
The move came after the South Korean Constitutional Court ruled last month that it is unconstitutional for Seoul to make no specific efforts to settle the issue with Tokyo.
"The Japanese government has ignored desperate appeals of the victimized women for 20 years," since one victim came forward as a former comfort woman in 1991, the groups' petition states.
It was adopted at a public gathering Tuesday in the Diet members building that drew around 100 people, including several lawmakers.