politics

Former Korean sex slaves to meet pope in Seoul

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By JUNG-YOON CHOI

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The Pope's official position is that Asian nations must rise above their differences to work together. While he will certainly provide private solace, if any one is expecting him to get on the Comfort Women bandwagon they are barking up the wrong tree. I am sure he will suggest forgiveness as a way to relive the pain and suffering.

-1 ( +13 / -14 )

CNN= every step that Pope makes, its news there , incredible. And of course, Koreans are truing to use Pope as much is posible, K-pop stars even made a song for him, and with that, they actually promoting them selfs , not to mention that info was spammed on CNN for two days , really, what a combo . And of course, now they want to use hil like this , really, Koreans are biggest manipulators today in the world .

-6 ( +18 / -23 )

Um, I think this is an issue, amongst others, which needs to be discussed and that Japan, particularly the current government, probably has some real work to do in addressing the past, however...

doesn't anyone else find it a bit odd that people with issues of this nature would want take it to a criminal organisation that has used its wealth, power and political freedom to continually hide, coverup and enable sexual abuse and peodophiles?

5 ( +13 / -8 )

In the past and probably today also prostitition was legally admitted business everywhere in the world. I don't think these people were forced to become prostitutes by the imperial army.

-3 ( +2 / -4 )

Japan should take into consideration the suffering and scars that were inflicted under past circumstances and not respond to this legalistically.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Of course, I knew this was going to happen.

The article mentions rightfully that many attempts at apologizing and compensating these comfort women are done by the Japanese government.

Yet, it is never enough.

No matter what the J government does, it will never be enough. So it goes from 'neeever' apologized to, it's 'neeever' enough.

Not to minimize the suffering of these women, but yet again an example of non stop shame of Japan, just to stir the world into anti Japan sentiments. We see it with the comfort women memorial in the U.S. and the Dodko nonsense.

6 ( +17 / -11 )

Lee Yong-soo hopes a meeting Monday with Pope Francis will provide some solace for the pain that still feels fresh <...> "Koreans, women and men, were dragged away by the Japanese military. I want the pope to amplify this message for future generations.”

That's obviously not looking for solace but looking to advance her government's political agenda

6 ( +11 / -5 )

The Comfort Women issue is a crime against women. Not only Japanese soldiers, but Koreans in the Japanese military as well as Chinese civilians employed by the Japanese made use of the Comfort stations. That the South Korean government is being sued by Korean women who were put into South Korea's prostitution system underlines that fact that this crime against WOMEN has been hijacked into a crime against South Korea,

4 ( +13 / -9 )

Review of Kono statement which prompted the retraction of Asahi's past articles after the fact.

http://www.asahi.com/topics/ianfumondaiwokangaeru/

Which this issue was HUGE in Japan but for some unknown reason, NYT (whose Japan office is in Asahi's headquarters) and Asahi English have yet to publish the retraction.

At least Yomiuri published the summary of Asahi's retraction.

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001478078

"..In March 1997, The Asahi Shimbun carried a special article on the reports about the comfort women issue. However, the newspaper only said it was unable to confirm the authenticity of Yoshida’s remarks.

Yoshida’s remarks were cited by a 1996 U.N. Human Rights Commission report compiled by Radhika Coomaraswamy, helping propagate a misunderstanding in the international community that the forcible recruitment of comfort women took place..."

As far as the comfort women issue, these latest development basically put a much needed nail in the coffin in Japan.

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

I don't think the Pope will start a kind of Japan bashing. Come on. He always speaks about the importance of forgiveness, and he says God always forgives us. "La gioia di Dio è perdonare!” he said (God's joy is to forgive!). Plus, when he was young, his dream was to become a missionary in Japan.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Lombardi has previously said it’s not Francis’ place to intervene in political disputes

The plight of these victims is not a political dispute. It's the Korean and Japanese rightwingers who are using them for their own political interests is what's causing a dispute.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

The Pope's official position is that Asian nations must rise above their differences to work together. While he will certainly provide private solace, if any one is expecting him to get on the Comfort Women bandwagon they are barking up the wrong tree. I am sure he will suggest forgiveness as a way to relive the pain and suffering.

Ossan -- agree with much of your comment, although phrasing it the "Comfort Women bandwagon" is unnecesarily small-minded and suggesting what the Pope will say to them -- "suggest forgiveness as a way to relive (SIC) the pain and suffering" -- is just plain wrong. It is one thing for you to lecture us on how Koreans, Chinese and Japanese people think. Please don't presume to do the same for the Pope.

And nenad and NZ2011, your posts simply make me shake my head -- Korea-bashing (because they happen to be taking great joy in the Pope's visit) and Pope-bashing. Obvioulsy neither of you can relate to Francis' core message.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

The article mentions rightfully that many attempts at apologizing and compensating these comfort women are done by the Japanese government.

Yet, it is never enough.

The article is incorrect. The government has never apologized. Individuals from the government have given their own personal opinions expressing an apology, but there has never been an official apology backed by the government.

So you cannot say it's never enough, as it's never happened to know whether it's enough or not.

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

WOW!

"If we do get a chance to speak with him, I want to cling to him in tears and ask him to help us resolve our pain,"

Pure politics. As a Catholic, she should know better. Only "she" can resolve her pain, but that's not what she's saying here. Does she want the Pope to raise an army and attack Japan?

I think the Pope is going to dislike being used like this. At least he should be.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

If Pope Francis can provide even a little solace to these former "comfort" children and "comfort" women, then the meeting will be worthwhile.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Pure politics. As a Catholic, she should know better. Only "she" can resolve her pain, but that's not what she's saying here. Does she want the Pope to raise an army and attack Japan?

FizzBit -- nonsense. As a Catholic myself I think what she is saying makes complete sense, and your comment about "raising an army" is just silly, especially from a Catholic. As BurakuminDes says, there is some pain that is so deep that only being able to express it directly to the Pope can possibly give her the solace she needs, especially, as the article says, these women are all nearing death. As the Pope famously said "Who are you to judge" these women's motives?

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

OssanAmerica said: "The Pope's official position is that Asian nations must rise above their differences to work together. While he will certainly provide private solace, if any one is expecting him to get on the Comfort Women bandwagon they are barking up the wrong tree. I am sure he will suggest forgiveness as a way to relive the pain and suffering."

1. Don't put words in someone else's mouth. Especially not the Pope's. 2. You don't demand that someone forgive. In order to deserve forgiveness, you must humble yourself and ask to be forgiven. Koreans would love to be ABLE to forgive Japan so everyone can move on, but in order for that to happen, Japan must ASK to be forgiven, which would require Japan to first ADMIT to guilt -- unambiguously, unconditionally, and without backtracking.
-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Why did you put that in bold?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I guess US and the Allied forces did it right in Germany. The citizens saw the atrocities, no rumors, no lies, just the truth of the Nazi leaders in the extermination of occupied Europe's Jews, Slavic, Gypsy, criminal, homosexual, mentally touched, handicapped, possible political opposers, and any other possible disliked human captured and sent to a camp.

Japan's general population did not see any of the atrocities and they wish to hide them and let them fade. Japan paid dearly with the use two nuclear bombs on two cities. Perhaps that was penalty enough at that time. So they thought.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

@Strangerland

The article is incorrect. The government has never apologized. Individuals from the government have given their own personal opinions expressing an apology, but there has never been an official apology backed by the government. So you cannot say it's never enough, as it's never happened to know whether it's enough or not.

Does "The Government of Japan" sound like an individual to you? http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/women/fund/state9308.html

4 ( +5 / -1 )

slowguy2Aug. 18, 2014 - 09:36AM JST "OssanAmerica said: "The Pope's official position is that Asian nations must rise above their differences to work together. While he will certainly provide private solace, if any one is expecting him to get on the Comfort Women bandwagon they are barking up the wrong tree. I am sure he will suggest forgiveness as a way to relive the pain and suffering."

Don't put words in someone else's mouth. Especially not the Pope's.

Not my words You have a problem expecting he Pope to advocate Peace?

You don't demand that someone forgive. In order to deserve forgiveness, you must humble yourself and ask to be >forgiven. Koreans would love to be ABLE to forgive Japan so everyone can move on, but in order for that to happen, >Japan must ASK to be forgiven, which would require Japan to first ADMIT to guilt -- unambiguously, unconditionally, >and without backtracking.

No ones is demanding anyone to forgive. Please get your hwabyeong under control before posting, Thanks,

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

It’s absolutely shameless for some people here still pointing their fingers to the victims of the worst and cruelest war crime – sex slaves instead of the perpetrators against humanity.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Does "The Government of Japan" sound like an individual to you? http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/women/fund/state9308.html

Kono made the apology - but it was not ratified by the cabinet, and therefore is not an apology backed by the government. There has never been an official apology backed by the cabinet.

A definitive, official government statement must fit one of four conditions:

1) a bill passed by the Diet. The Prime Minister, representing the Cabinet, submits a bill to the Diet (art 72), which becomes a law upon passage by both Lower and Upper Houses (art 59) and the signature of the competent Minister of State and the countersignature by the Prime Minister (art 49);

2) a statement by a cabinet minister in a full session of the Diet;

3) a statement by a prime minister in an official communiqué while on an overseas visit;

4) a statement ratified by the Cabinet, known as a cabinet decision, kakugi kettei.

In reality none of the first three examples of official statements are possible without a cabinet decision. A cabinet decision is the definitive expression of official government policy in Japan.

Thus far, in regard to the Comfort Women, none of these conditions have been met.

Link: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jiaponline.org%2Fdocuments%2FWhatConstitutesApology.doc&ei=V1HxU6TmJ-iY1AXMkYGgCA&usg=AFQjCNEI_uahqO4P9Ni0v1_mSmWttCy-Jg&bvm=bv.73231344,d.bGE

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

My heart goes out in sympathy to all the women who suffered. Unfortunately the fact is prostitution and military prostitution have been practiced all over the world since ancient times. Singling out the Japanese military as a horrible example would be nothing less than discriminatory. If activists truly care about women's rights they should focus not on the past, but on the present, since prostitution exist all over the world, as does military prostitution. One cannot help but to conclude that there is a hidden, ulterior motive to their demanding reparations and apologies from Japan. The only way that you may be able to move forward in life is to make the choice to forgive your loved ones, friends, yourself or even strangers who have wronged you, consciously or unintentionally. Hanging on to anger, bitterness, and resentment doesn't just hurt the heart, it can significantly and negatively impact your life. Forgiveness is ultimately a gift to yourself. It allows the wounds to be healed. It is the key to peace, health, and happiness. The past does not equal the present.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Singling out the Japanese military as a horrible example would be nothing less than discriminatory.

So now we're back to the 'well they did it too' justification of wrongdoing. Remember what your mom told you about two wrongs?

One cannot help but to conclude that there is a hidden, ulterior motive to their demanding reparations and apologies from Japan.

You really think the women who were raped by the Japanese military have some ulterior motive beyond wanting an apology and reparations for having been raped by said military? I think you are trying to justify Japan's wrongs.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

jerseyboy..

Please do not misrepresent what I said at all, I did not bash Korea at all, I think its almost certain that these women have a legitimate claim to make with the Japanese Government and their own.

I don't defend Japan in anyway when it comes to reparation and observance of the war, I think that although they have made some attempts they have done so poorly they have fallen short of apologising for and distancing themselves from something they clearly no longer are but for whatever reason are not capable of addressing. I hope a younger generation of politicians on both sides will make steps to both heal and move forward, as these nations are of vital importance to each other.

Now.. the catholic church on the other hand, I make no apologies, it is a disgusting organisation and pope PR victories aside is complicit in its actions around the world, spread of sexual disease, homophobia, aiding known peodophiles escape the justice system, further victimising victims.. the list goes on and on.. not to even mention the crimes against humanity it has committed over the last several thousand years.

The last thing we need is a dogma ridden, superstitious, extra ordinarily wealthy and agenda driven criminal organisation getting involved in this very serious issue.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Link: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jiaponline.org%2Fdocuments%2FWhatConstitutesApology.doc&ei=V1HxU6TmJ-iY1AXMkYGgCA&usg=AFQjCNEIuahqO4P9Ni0v1mSmWttCy-Jg&bvm=bv.73231344,d.bGE

Not this crap again.

Your link is somewhat laughable considering that an apology is NEVER "a bill passed by the Diet. " and that apology/statements through the Diet (one house, either lower or upper) are "resolutions" which is non binding. Secondly, the notion that cabinet statements have to be during the Diet session to be "official" is utter BS for first and foremost, the premise of "an issue as important as an apology," is false considering the hierarchy of cabinet statements or pending decisions during the Diet sessions are bills submitted to the Diet (国会提出案件) and national/domestic policy. This is a no brainer since Diet sessions purpose is to pass important legislative issue as opposed being "get bogged down " by "an apology". As to the "a statement by a prime minister in an official communiqué while on an overseas visit;" why does it have to be a communique as opposed to Prime Minister Miyazawa making the following statement in Seoul?

http://www.ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~worldjpn/documents/texts/exdpm/19920117.S1J.html

This is yet again, another example of nitpicking and finding reasons not to accept an apology. Official apology is simply an apology issued/stated by an official in an official capacity and nothing more. The mere fact that the Korean government went lengths to negotiate the wording of the Kono statement proves this. And subsequently,"there was a straightforward expression of remorse and apology, given by the STATE to those concerned" per Korean government

With the recent retraction by Asahi, this issue is over. These Koreans who back this cause and of course, the Korean government pushed this issue to a point where it alienated the sympathetic populace in Japan.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Official apology is simply an apology issued/stated by an official in an official capacity and nothing more.

Not if it is to be taken seriously as an official apology. There has never been an official apology. And that link lays out its arguments with supporting arguments, rather than you who just spouted off a bunch of random crap about why you didn't like it. Sorry, but the document has a lot more validity than your post.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Not if it is to be taken seriously as an official apology. There has never been an official apology. And that link lays out its arguments with supporting arguments, rather than you who just spouted off a bunch of random crap about why you didn't like it. Sorry, but the document has a lot more validity than your post.

There are NO "supporting argument" to begin with starting at #1 where an apology is NEVER a bill.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

There are NO "supporting argument" to begin with starting at #1 where an apology is NEVER a bill.

And once again we are back to an article that provides supporting arguments, vs. you who is some hack spouting off on the internet. I think we all know which one has more credibility.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

And once again we are back to an article that provides supporting arguments, vs. you who is some hack spouting off on the internet. I think we all know which one has more credibility.

A link that claims an apology comes in a form of a bill submitted to the house had no credibility. Those who believe this garbage merely proved him/herself that they are absolutely clueless in the legislative procedure of Japan.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

Do you really want to keep going in circles? If you'd like to have your posts have any credibility, back up your claims with something. Otherwise you are some guy who is replying to a well written article with arguments backing up its claims, by stomping his feet and saying 'No! No! I said no!'.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Do you really want to keep going in circles? If you'd like to have your posts have any credibility, back up your claims with something. Otherwise you are some guy who is replying to a well written article with arguments backing up its claims, by stomping his feet and saying 'No! No! I said no!'.

I did. You can't respond other than your blind faith to this ridiculous link.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

I did. You can't respond other than your blind faith to this ridiculous link.

A well written link backed up with supporting arguments vs. some hack on the internet who is pissy because he doesn't like to be shown that he was wrong.

We all know which one has credibility.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

nigelboy and Strangerland, please do not address each other any further on this thread.

Last month, the government rejected an assertion by the U.N.’s human rights watchdog that it should accept full blame for pressing Asian women into wartime sexual slavery in military brothels, saying it was not obligated to do so.

Their advice is based on the following U.N report issued in 1996 so their shouldn't be any more "blame"

"..In March 1997, The Asahi Shimbun carried a special article on the reports about the comfort women issue. However, the newspaper only said it was unable to confirm the authenticity of Yoshida’s remarks.

Yoshida’s remarks were cited by a 1996 U.N. Human Rights Commission report compiled by Radhika Coomaraswamy, helping propagate a misunderstanding in the international community that the forcible recruitment of comfort women took place..."

This issue is over as far as the Japanese government is concerned as per Suga's response on August 7th. Perhaps he knew this retraction by Asahi was coming eventually where the ripple effect would no doubt change the Japanese populace general view on this much debated subject. It's a much needed "nail in the coffin" to this over leveraged card.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

No mention about comfort women from Suga on Aug. 7?

??

「慰安婦問題は日韓請求権協定により完全に解決済みだというのが、わが 国の一貫した立場だ」

It's over.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

I personally hope that pope meets this brave korean female professor,韓国世宗大学 University, パク・ユハ教授, who concluded ,"Comfort women were prostetutes", and "they were part of ex-japanese military working together” in her book after research.

Now she's got harrrased and sued by same Koreans. http://www.xinhuaxia.jp/social/38236 Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKQHIZzzUhM

We here all agree that there should be a freedom of speech in Korea, don't we??

Please recall, what happened those who ever mentioned "Comfort woman was prostetute" in Korea. ... like 李栄薫ソウル大教授 Professor in Seoul University, kicked and forced to bend on the knee to comfort women. https://www.google.co.jp/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=hts&oq=%e6%9d%8e%e6%a0%84%e8%96%ab&hl=ja&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4SNJB_ja___JP480&q=%e6%9d%8e%e6%a0%84%e8%96%ab&gs_l=hp...0l4.0.0.1.299064...........0.5YzAXkKHjmI

So, folks, now let's see how this Korean brave female professor will end up with in Korea... I hope pope realizes people are trying to use him...

3 ( +7 / -4 )

This article is somewhat less anti-Japan than others about comfort women. It seems that 60% of J soldiers starved to death. No food to support so many comfort women.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I personally hope that pope meets this brave korean female professor,韓国世宗大学 University, パク・ユハ教授, who concluded ,"Comfort women were prostetutes", and "they were part of ex-japanese military working together” in her book after research.

These women are not prostitutes, but were victims. Former "comfort" women in Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines - though many in their 80's - are still trying to have their stories heard and their inhumane experiences remembered.

Please don't re-victimize these women by slandering them.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

J-govt’s attitude toward to Japan’s war-time sex slavery is increasingly becoming its achille’s heel as more and more people in the world found out what kind of country Japan really was and is. The myth that “Japan is special” is being demystified as the negative publicity swirled around Japan’s war-time atrocities and its current revisionists dominated government is exposing the real Japan without the mask.

For the record, six statues of sex slavery have been built in the US alone so far, and it’s still counting

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Sam TrumbullAug. 18, 2014 - 06:46PM JST "I personally hope that pope meets this brave korean female professor,韓国世宗大学 University, パク・ユハ教授, who concluded ,"Comfort women were prostetutes", and "they were part of ex-japanese military working together” in her book after research."

These women are not prostitutes, but were victims. Former "comfort" women in Korea, China, Vietnam, and the >Philippines - though many in their 80's - are still trying to have their stories heard and their inhumane experiences >remembered. Please don't re-victimize these women by slandering them.

No they are all former prostitutes employed by a military prostitution system. This is a simple fact. The question of HOW they were recruited is the crux of the debate. They were not all kidnapped in the middle of the night from their homes. Nor were they all professional prostitutes prior to recruitment.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Pope Francis is known for being a man of compassion, simplicity, forgiveness, extreme discipline as possible for the vow of poverty and many other virtues. The most close holy father into his church's precepts so far. So, what Mr. Alex80 wrote in here: He always speaks about the importance of forgiveness, and he says God always forgives us. "La gioia di Dio è perdonare!” he said (God's joy is to forgive!) can be the closest demeanor of the Pope face to this. But face to his compatibility for the liberation theology, if he someday (not going to happen) frame the prostitution issue, he would probably bring the nowadays voluntary Korean prostitutes exodus all around the world. For them, there's still a salvation.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

six statues of sex slavery have been built in the US alone so far, and it’s still counting

All built by Korean community to harass Japan. It's hardly evidence of anything. Why did not even single parent complain if their daughters are kidnapped from their homes? Only some very old women who claimed to be former comfort women about 40 years after the war.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Well if its over as you put it, does that mean there'll be no more revisionist attempts from the Japanese government on the issue of the comfort women and other wartime atrocities. He offers no further words of regret just dismisses the UN?

It's over. The only thing I can forsee are the possibility to call up Kono and Asahi personnel via Diet inquiry. Whatever the case may be, those Japanese public who were sympathetic to these comfort women in the past are no longer so as a result of Kono review and the recent retraction by Asahi 30 years after the damage has been done.

It's a welcome sign to finally put a nail in the coffin to this overlevereged card.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

This is Hilarious the catholic church molesting little boys this is like singing to the choir and the Pope directing it!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

PM Abe said he maintained the statement to avoid confusion. But all Japanaese know that SK promised it would not bring up the issue if Japan included the phrase. So Japan included. But Korea started using the phrase as evidence of the fabricated story. Anyway all Japanese public know the truth, that's the most important thing for Japan.

-5 ( +3 / -9 )

nigelboy , you are denying ( I won't say atrocities ) listen your soldiers in before civilization manner era were barbaric like any pioneer in attacking strategy , you swiftly attacked china and manchuria , whether it's wrong or right , it doesn't matter

For example , ( Nigelboy ) Can I ask a question , why these women are remembering those atrocities now , they want some one to defend them in the time of need , china is a lion now thanks to snowden leaks about imperial project armor doc leak , if you didn't covertly assist N.korea , By the way , Right-winger in japan call N.korean kitsune , if you want to trade with china or even threaten them , you should have a back-up right , if N.korean communist take over as you wish , you know that 90% of the japanese are heiwaboke , and that's obvious , if north korea attacks japan now they will withdraw with 20million , imagine if they drafted the S. korean like you have done in the 40 or they have willingly done that as( shikatanai strategy ) (bow to your master moto ) they will be 60 million and china will extort you everyday , indonesia , vietnam have a lot of chinese people and the chinese has greatly influenced their mentality ,

you can even with sharing humanity with your allies influence dividing china into 3 countries , right-winger are the enemy of japan

your pop is 123 million - 2 million max S.korea - 655,000 N.korea - 3 million

Tibet pop -6 million Uighur - 10 million

but don't forget N.korean families are starving ,depending mainly on japan after russian has abandoned them cozying with the japanese one so you are the one who can solve the crisis , and you are the one who will corner himself by letting N.korean communist become 60 million , in that time , American soldier can't do anything 50k and 20K is not a good number unless there is a deepening sense of revenge , that's another topic

Abe visit to chidorikafuchi to mourn the tokyo bombing victim who are the real tokyoites as no one has sympathized with them ,

By the way if Christianity has influenced korean they would have forgiven you , but Confucian study is still en craved in their mind , the electronic bug that japan have covertly provided them to kill ROK troops while they are asleep is a creepy act , there is no wrong on doing the bad thing , the biggest wrong is to hide it ,

those women I think that they want to ensure the life of their generation so they can die in dignity like you claim

I have many blogs that proved that they didn't sympathized with hiroshima and nagasaki in order to not upset japan ....Go figure

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

"Also, regarding the involvement of the military in the recruitment of the comfort women, the ROK requested wording that was equivalent to “the military or recruiters who were instructed by the military,” or in other words, that the recruitment was carried out by the military or that the military instructed other recruiters to do so. But the Japanese side considered that the recruitment was not carried out by the military, but mainly by recruiters who had done so based on the “intentions” of the military, and hence could not accept that the military were the main party that carried out the recruitment. Also, as the Japan side could not confirm that the military “instructed” the recruiters to carry out the recruitment, it proposed that the expression be changed to that the military “requested” the recruiters carry out the recruitment. In response to this, the ROK wanted the expression “ordered” used for the involvement of the military in both the establishment of the comfort stations and the recruitment of the comfort women, but the Japanese side did not accept it. Ultimately, it was decided on the wording that the comfort stations were established and managed"

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Abe denies Imperial Army was involved in forcibly recruiting women into sexual slavery... he claims these women were all professional prostitutes who chose to be taken into the front-lines away from their families on their own will on top of not being compensated properly. These women were barely given enough to eat or drink in order to stay alive and was thrown away like a useless rag dolls if they were diseased or no longer desired... Of course the women chose to this on their own will and they had the right to leave if they so desired but never did... right? or do you think Mr Abe's claim is little too unrealistic?

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Prostitutes have always been treated in a bad way.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Yes Zichi,

We know their 'claims' and their accusations. The validity of their claims, however, have lost any sense of credibility as a result of the review and the retraction. This is what happens when pushed too much losing support from those who actually cared in the past.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

The irony part is that J-govt’s denial and rejection of its war-time sex slavery have not brought Japan any supports from the international community for the matter.; on the contrary, Japan’s efforts actually created the polar opposites - more and more people in the world denounce Japan’s past atrocities and current hog-wash. Case in point, the support to build the statues to remember the victims of sex slavery is growing in America as we are speaking.

My suggestion to zichi and others who have moral fibers in them , pleas let it go and stop wasting your time on this subject. Facts will stay as facts, it does not matter who want to erase them.

It looks like the UN heritage org will make the Japanese war-time sex slavery as a part of 20th centaury history to remember permanently, the same way as the Anne frank diary, did thanks to Japanese nationalists and revisionists.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

more and more people in the world denounce Japan’s past atrocities and current hog-wash.

Who? Basically Korea, China, and Korea-led UN. Nobody else really cares. Do you think Western nations really want Korea, Japan, and China to play nicely together? They will say whatever to keep them apart (not that they need to).

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Who? Basically Korea, China, and Korea-led UN. Nobody else really cares

True.

What people tend to ignore that this issue was still on going is the general support among the Japanese populance. Even though zichi has provided those "claims" , those carried significant amount of 'weight' simply because the general populance of Japan believed in the story told by Yoshida or the numbers of 200,000 (which was the number of Teishintai, not comfort women). Once that's been retracted by Asahi and made headlines, Japanese people who were sympathetic felt they were deceived and they no longer care what these former comfort women "claims" are now. That's how mass media works to the general populance in Japan as it did 30 years ago.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Japan is a country in denial. First, deny these women ever existed. Then deny they were forced. Then deny that it was Japan which brought them in calling them voluntary "prostitutes".

This kind of behavior is abhorrent and despicable.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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