Korean 'comfort women' photographer wins lawsuit against Nikon

"But some argue that local pimps and businesses tricked the women into prostitution rings, with Japanese soldiers buying their services as customers with the military having no direct role in the running of brothels."

I see they are even using euphemism in their defense of Japan, because let's face it, they weren't "comfort women", they were sex slaves, and not only do some think it was "local pimps" who tricked the women, there are many who think Japanese troops weren't even involved, that the women were high-paid prostitutes who entered the "service" of their own volition, and that it never happened at all.

Shame on Nikon for denying this man his right to exhibit what he chooses when allowing all others to do so, and shame on the people who complained. Good on the courts for awarding this guy the win, although the compensation is pretty paltry.

Through history, many countries have committed atrocities, however the complete exclusion from Japanese texts perhaps is the reason that this photographer's work is so important.

Although controversial, it seems to have sparked communication among Japanese on the subject. An opportunity for more Japanese to learn a part of history not taught in their own country.

It is bewildering that this issue among others has not yet been honourably dealt with years ago.

Nikon had justified its decision to close down the show out of safety concerns

So this is not safe to have some photography exhibition in Japan ? Some will do harm so safety will be compromised ? Well, either Nikon has some evidences to sustain their claim and should denounce the terrorists who planned to do something against the exhibition or they have nothing and it was just a matter for a corporation to do censorship on sensible matter for their acquainted right wings supporters.

“We’ll carefully consider whether to appeal or not,” he said.

yeah, try save Y1.1M :(

Well, either Nikon has some evidences to sustain their claim and should denounce the terrorists who planned to do something against the exhibition ..

Right wing groups like Uyoku would have threatened to disrupt and even attack the exhibition and Nikon staff no doubt as they have in the past.

I went to this exhibition in Shinjuku in 2013. It was heavily guarded with an airport metal detector at the door. It was a very subdued atmosphere and not just because exhibition content was somber.

It was very moving to see an I believe all Japanese, especially school students should attend the exhibition as part of their history education. It will give a more balanced view of the war and Japan's rule in it than just taking them to Hiroshima and Nagasaki bomb exhibition.

The amount awarded is less than $9,000 USD. What a joke.

@letsberealistic

I understand you are working on this subject in your MA degree. Have you ever spent a little time on Comfort Women during/after Korean War? They were called Yanggongiu, Blanket Corp, The Class V Supply etc.

In case JT erases the this linkbelow, search in Youtube "Do you hear their cry". A lot of people would understandHow the entire circumstances of the penninsula has beel like since early 19century, as being described by Prof. Park Yu-Ha or Prof. Ikuhiko-Hata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jlfAqR8uBc

@letsberealistic

And it would be nice if you could post your thought on the video later. Please try to watch the video with least prejusdice possible because, whoever made this video, hard evidences like old korean new papaers and those articles are very real.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jlfAqR8uBc

Although the award is (relatively) low, let's hope that many more cases go this way to similar plaintiffs.

Many Japanese agree that young women from the Korean peninsula and elsewhere in Asia were systematically and repeatedly forced into having sex with Japanese soldiers during the war.

And many people don't! Me included.

"Many Japanese agree that young women from the Korean peninsula and elsewhere in Asia were systematically and repeatedly forced into having sex with Japanese soldiers during the war."

And the United States government which actually fought Japan in WWII and interrogated captured "Comfort Women" do not agree.

the Japanese Government is liable to pay compensation to these women if the rape was committed by Japanese soldiers on these women during the course of sovereign duty. However, how it is to be proved whether the services of these affected women were requisitioned by some businessman during occupation as quid pro quo for the concession offered by the military to these businessman. WHAT IS EVIDENCE AND HOW- A broad 1965 compensation deal WAS ARRIVED.