TOKYO (AP)?losing a symbolic trial of Japan? World War II leaders, a mock tribunal on Dec. l2 found the late Emperor Hirohito guilty for his army? policy of systematically forcing Asian women into sexual slavery.

"Superiors can be responsible for the acts of their subordinates if they? known or should have known that these acts had been committed," said Gabrielle Mc Donald, one of four judges who presided over the Women? International War Crimes Tribunal.

"We have concluded that (Hirohito) knew or should?e known about the establishment of the system of comfort stations," she said.

The tribunal was organized by non-governmental organizations to draw attention to the plight of women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II.

Historians say Japan forced about 200,000 women to work in military brothels. Tokyo has acknowledged the policy but refused to provide compensation or an official apology to individuals.

Tuesday? ruling, which has no legal force, came after four days of testimony from now-elderly former sex slaves and ex-Japanese soldiers.

Participating in the tribunal were women from North and South Korea, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, East Timor and the Netherlands.