United States DC Circuit

Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, Japan is entitled to immunity from suit concerning the pre-1952 acts alleged in this case by women seeking money damages for having been subjected to sexual slavery and torture. A violation of a jus cogens norm does not constitutes a waiver of sovereign immunity.

Appellate Information

• Argued 03/22/2005
• Decided 06/27/2003
• Published 06/27/2003

Judges

• GINSBURG, Chief Judge., Before:  GINSBURG, Chief Judge, and SENTELLE and TATEL, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States DC Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Agnieszka M. Fryszman argued the cause for appellants.   With her on the briefs were Michael D. Hausfeld, Barry A. Fisher, David Grosz, and Bill Lann Lee., Jenny S. Martinez argued the cause for amici curiae Askin, et al. in support of appellants.   With her on the brief were David A. Handzo and Richard Heideman.


• For Appellees:
  
• Craig A. Hoover argued the cause for appellee.   With him on the brief were Jonathan S. Franklin and Lorane F. Hebert., Sharon Swingle, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, argued the cause for amicus curiae United States of America in support of appellee.   With her on the brief were Peter D. Keisler, Assistant Attorney General, Kenneth L. Wainstein, U.S. Attorney, and Mark B. Stern, Attorney.