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Alleged Filipino comfort women or Japanese sex slaves during World War II raise their clenched fists as they shout slogans during a rally near the presidential palace Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

MANILA (Kyodo) -- President Benigno Aquino said Tuesday the Philippines will seek a compromise "acceptable to all parties" on the issue of World War II sex slaves.

"We do not profit anything by being very belligerent about this," Aquino said in an interview with Japanese journalists ahead of a visit to Japan.

Aquino, who will be visiting Japan to attend the Pacific Rim summit, said incoming Philippine ambassador to Japan, Manuel Lopez, will look into the issue after taking up his post in Tokyo.

"We have very, very good relations with the Japanese people and government. The way we've treated each other after the war, I think, is something that should be nurtured," Aquino said.

Lopez "will be tasked to find ways and means whereby we can achieve a compromise that is acceptable to all parties," the president said, referring to the issue of wartime sex slaves.

Filipino women who said they had been sexually abused by Japanese soldiers during World War II have pressed Japan to offer an official apology as well as government compensation.

Japan created an Asia Women's Fund in 1995 to compensate those who were known in Japan as "comfort women," who had been recruited to work at frontline brothels in Asian territories under Japanese war-time occupation.

The fund has been rejected by some sex victims on grounds the money came from private donations and not from Japanese government coffers.

While citing the economic benefits to the Philippines from its relations with Japan, Aquino also showed sympathy for "these very senior citizens of ours" in getting "their dignity back."

On the issue of compensation, Aquino said he would probably seek help from Philippine Congress "to authorize expenditures."