According to Tong, even if the Japanese government refuses to attend the proceedings, the court has the right to pronounce sentence in absentia if the evidence proves that the defendants are guilty.

Looking to the future

Panjiayu is now a patriotism-education base because the village is full of sites of historical interest, such as the big lotus tree, whose hollow trunk was used to hide secret files of the Eighth Route Army, and the metal doors at the village entrance, which are scarred with countless white marks left by Japanese bayonets.

Pan Ruishen hopes to link Panjiayu with other locations of the old East Hebei Anti-Japanese Base Area to establish a tourist park that will give visitors more reasons to extend their stay in the village.

"That's what I hope to do eventually, but right now my task is to continue seeking compensation from Japan. My son has promised he will continue the quest if things haven't been resolved by the time I pass away. I am very happy about that," he said.

Zhang Yu and Han Junhong contributed to this story.