Former sex slaves urge Japan PM to resolve issue

TOKYO: Japan's new prime minister should keep his word and give official apology and compensation to women across Asia who were forced into sex slavery during World War II, a South Korean victim said on Wednesday, representing dozens of others.

The women gathered in Tokyo to pressure Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who as opposition leader in 2002 told lawmakers the Japanese government should "offer compensation to the victims and restore their honor".

Lee Yong-soo, 81, said Hatoyama has been supportive of the so-called "comfort women" since she first met him as opposition leader over a decade ago in Seoul.