The Women’s International War Crimes Tribunal on Japanese Military Sexual Slavery was a private People’s Tribunal held at the Kudan Kaikan Hall in Tokyo, Japan, from December 8 to 12, 2000, in solidarity with countries across Asia victimized by the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” system and with women’s organizations worldwide. The tribunal criticized the failure of the Allied-led International Military Tribunal for the Far East to adequately address the issue after World War II and sought to hold perpetrators accountable through the collective efforts of victims and citizens across Asia. After three days of hearings, the panel of judges issued a preliminary verdict convicting nine military and political leaders, including Emperor Hirohito and Prime Minister Hideki Tojo. Building on this, in December 2001, the tribunal delivered a final judgment in The Hague, Netherlands, convicting Emperor Hirohito and recommending that the Japanese government investigate the truth, issue an official apology, and provide reparations to victims. Although the tribunal lacked binding legal authority, it carried profound significance in that it brought the issue of Japanese Military “Comfort Women” to court through international solidarity and citizen power and established the necessity of condemning wartime violence against women from the perspective of women’s rights and peace.

The Women’s International War Crimes Tribunal on the Trial of Japan’s Military Sexual Slavery in 2000 refers to an international peoples' tribunal held at Kudan Kaikan Hall in Tokyo, Japan from December 8~12, 2000, with a coalition of the Japanese Military 'Comfort Women' victims from Japan, Asia, and women's organizations around the world. The aim was to criticize the fact that the Japanese Military 'Comfort Women' issue was not properly addressed in the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE) organized by the Allied Powers to hold Japan responsible for war after World War II, and to punish those responsible by the power of victims and citizens from each of the affected Asian countries. After a three-day hearing, the court's panel issued a preliminary judgment convicting Emperor Hirohito, Tōjō Hideki, and nine other military and political leaders. Based on this, the final judgment in December 2001 in the Hague, Netherlands, convicted Emperor Hirohito, and recommended the Japanese government to investigate the truth, to apologize, to compensate the victims, and so on. Although it was not legally binding, the tribunal was of great significance as it brought the Japanese Military 'Comfort Women' issue to court through the international solidarity and established the need to punish violence against women during wartime from the perspective of women's human rights and peace.

It was an international civil tribunal held from December 8 to 12, 2000, at the Kudan Kaikan in Tokyo, Japan. It was organized in solidarity with Japan and other Asian countries affected by the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” system, as well as global women’s organizations. The tribunal was convened to criticize the fact that the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” issue was not properly addressed by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE), which was held by the Allied powers after World War II to hold Japan accountable for its wartime actions. Additionally, it sought to hold those responsible accountable through the collective efforts of victims and citizens from across Asia. After three days of hearings, the tribunal’s panel of judges issued a preliminary verdict, finding Emperor Shōwa and nine other military and political leaders, including Hideki Tojo, guilty. This preliminary verdict laid the foundation for the final judgment delivered in December 2001 in The Hague, Netherlands, where Emperor Shōwa was found guilty. The final judgment urged the Japanese government to uncover the truth, formally apologize, and compensate the victims. Although the tribunal lacked legal enforcement power, its significance lies in its role in bringing the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” issue to the court through international solidarity and collective citizen efforts and in establishing the need to condemn wartime violence against women from the perspective of women’s rights and peace.

WAM is Japan's first museum dedicated to addressing wartime sexual violence, established in August 2005. The museum was founded in memory of the late Japanese women’s activist Yayori Matsui, who played a leading role in the 2000 Tribunal. Built on her legacy and materials, WAM focuses on researching and preserving records related to the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” issue, organizing exhibitions and symposiums, raising awareness about the realities of Japan’s military sexual slavery system, and urging the Japanese government to acknowledge its responsibility for these crimes through both domestic and international solidarity activities. (Website: https://wam-peace.org/)