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Filipino ex-sex slaves demand justice from Japan

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South Korea and China have criticized Abe for backpedaling from past Japanese apologies and acknowledgements of wartime atrocities, and the two countries saw the recent review as an attempt to undermine the 1993 apology.

Historians say 20,000 to 200,000 women from across Asia, many of them Koreans, were forced to provide sex to Japan’s front-line soldiers. In addition to insisting the so-called “comfort women” worked in wartime brothels voluntarily, Japanese nationalists also say Japan has been unfairly criticized for a practice they say is common during war.

This story is not about China or Korea. You are Off Topic nameless Japan Today submitter.

Anyone know what compensation has been been paid for these women?

0 ( +4 / -5 )

In the 1990's Japan worked with the Philippines to identify former comfort women. These women who are protesting now should have come forward at that time. Each received a written apology signed by the Prime Minster at the time and 20 million yen. In some countries Japan donated money for health clinics to be set up for former comfort women's use.

Wasn't it what Philippines' comfort women were demanding in a lawsuit which has been dismissed and closed by Tokyo's government ?!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Indeed, where were these women when the Japanese government tried to compensate them decades before?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

In addition to insisting the so-called “comfort women” worked in wartime brothels voluntarily, Japanese nationalists also say Japan has been unfairly criticized for a practice they say is common during war.

And herein lays the problem. If it wasn't for the Japanese government downplaying these events this issue would have gone away. Their claims that these women volunteered are absurd, but then they turn around and justify it by stating its acceptable in war. These are two totally contradictory statements and I cannot blame anybody for being peeved over the J-Gov's response. Yeah, some money has been paid in compensation and apologies have been written, but for the modern government to start this downplaying and lying about the events is a slap in the face for all those who were mistreated by the Japanese military.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

That's exactly it. This problem would be so easy to bury. The Japan government keeps cutting off its nose to spite its face.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Looks to me somebody is trying to jump on a bandwagon here.

-2 ( +1 / -2 )

Their claims that these women volunteered are absurd, but then they turn around and justify it by stating its acceptable in war.

Claiming ALL women volunteered is absurd.

BUT prostitution exists in times of peace. It's silly to assume SOME prostitutes don't continue their "line of business" during times of war also.

This is NOT to say that ALL "comfort" women were prostitutes, and even the ones that were prostitutes were not mistreated.

I fully support compensation where and when due.

1 ( +2 / -2 )

And here I thought "Comfort Station" was just a nice way of saying the "W.C.". Even more insulting to these sex slaves of past.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The problem with the comfort women issue are not only nationalists, but that there is no finality to it.

When previous attempts were made to identify and compensate them, where were they? Why are they streaming out only today?

Further, it is hardly justified for China, Korea and play up these issues for political benefit as and when they see fit.

It is hardly unreasonable that the moderate Japanese public is less and less convinced that there is a genuine need to compensate than it is a concerted attempt to encircle Japan, playing into the hands of right-wing nutters.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Quote, Disillusioned "And herein lays (sic) the problem. If it wasn't for the Japanese government downplaying these events this issue would have gone away. Their claims that these women volunteered are absurd, but then they turn around and justify it by stating its acceptable in war. These are two totally contradictory statements and I cannot blame anybody for being peeved over the J-Gov's response."

To be fair, it is not the J government turning around and saying anything, but as the article makes clear here: "Dy denied she and others were voluntary prostitutes, as Japanese nationalists have contended." and here: "Japanese nationalists also say Japan has been unfairly criticized for a practice they say is common during war." it is J nationalists, some of whom like Hashimoto may be in the government, but it is not the voice of the present Japanese government.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Overchan ????

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Estelita Dy, 84. “Justice is what we need, justice now.”

You could have had justice when the asian women's fund was set up.

This is NOT to say that ALL "comfort" women were prostitutes, and even the ones that were prostitutes were not mistreated.

The question is, how many of them were prostitutes and how many were enslaved? And how can you find out if a former comfort woman was forced or not? Even the 20,000 to 200,000 estimate for the total number is not exactly precise.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Read Comfort Women in WikiPedia/ If you can read Japanese Language, Japanese Language version as it has more details on Military plans and orders and others, names of military officials who ordered, executors, etc. And plenty more than English version. You don't have to ask victims, whose majority are in graves, Just documents a variety of people found. Many founders have Japanese names. History long before WW II. are written.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Oldman is right. Whee were they during previous compensation attempts? So many in the PI are poor, this could just be a way to get some quick cash.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

We are already old (but) we will not stop until we can obtain real justice, until we can make sure that there will be peace based on justice,” said Virginia Villarma, also 84.

So really, what is real justice? I understand what was done to them is wrong but what does she mean by "real justice". Most of the people that committed those terrible crimes are long gone. Money is not real justice.

Until there is peace based in justice? War was a long time ago and we are in peace times. Want justice? Then let's bring the fight and hatred towards all those Douchebags that are currently trafficking humans so more people don't go through what these women went through.

War was over a long time ago. As much as it must hurt, it's time move on.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Is there an expiration date for suffering?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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