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NHK chief vows impartiality after wartime sex slavery remarks

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Listening? Sleeping? His face tells me he is not happy with the apology.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

He has brought NHK into disrepute internationally, and if he had any honour he would resign

26 ( +26 / -1 )

That facial expression is one of total disrespect, contempt and indifference for the diet and those lawmakers interviewing him. He should be relieved of his position at NHK, before he creates more damage.

29 ( +30 / -1 )

I doubt that under Momii’s helm, plus with a parade of conservative board members, NHK will be impartial.

It’s shame though, NHK was used to be a trusted source for more objective and neutral views, but now it’s on its way to become the right-wingers’ month-piece.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

If this is really about Kennedy not being eager to talk to NHK, wouldn't they address that one of their governors publicly accused the US of fabricating Japan's war crimes? Seems a little more pertanant, although this guy was equally preprosterous

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

This guy should have been removed weeks ago. Actually, should never have been put in the position in the first place. NHK and impartiality with this guy in charge? A joke.

20 ( +21 / -1 )

Something is wrong in the method of choosing the top of NHK. This is the second time president of NHK from Mitsui and Company caused problems. The first case was Yoshizo Ikeda who was forced to resign in 1988 for his eccentric behaviors such as suddenly starting to speak in English at the communications commitee of the upper house. He was found suffering from senile dementia. He was 77 when he became the president of NHK and he left the position only in nine months. When I saw Momii on TV I was certain that he is also suspected of having the same sickness.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

and if he had any honour he would resign

I agreed. But, he should have been fired way before he even had a chance to consider resigning.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Even if they are his "personal views" as head of NHK, at his inaugural NHK press conference no less, he is a mouthpiece for the NHK body as a whole. If I had my "ABC Company" hat on and made inflammatory comments over an extremely sensitive subject, I should expect to be fired from said company.

These old world conservative cronies aren't doing Japan any favours.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

What a bizarre set of circumstances.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Spineless.

Like i said, Japan = one big old boys' club. Impartial my arse!

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Maybe he daydreaming he wishes he could use comfort woman? Joke aside, he is a liability to Japan. Kennedy is a woman I;d bet she can;t stand the man like that. He could be the first man in the world she despised.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Demote him to toilet cleaner (third class) and see if his face changes.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

That picture says enough about the attitude! And i've seen similar pictures before of other people in the government. Must be their official talk to the hand face.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

He has the kind of face only a mother could love. He looks so cocky.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

WTF is with that picture?!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

That picture is priceless.

He looks so cocky.

With no ill intent, I find that Japanese men his age ARE cocky and ignorant. What a joke.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

What apology? an expression of regret for having done or said something wrong

"It is my lack of discretion in that I didn't understand the various rules." "I think it was very inappropriate that I made the comments at such places."

He is not saying he is sorry for saying what he said, it was the wrong place to say it. It's more like a kid saying he is sorry not for stealing the cookies but because he was caught. And obviously he doesn't think he said anything wrong. Then you have Naoki Hyakuta with "Hasegawa also criticized the basic law for a gender-equal society, saying the increase in working women has lowered the nation’s birthrate."

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201402190038

You sure we didn't slip in some time machine back to 1935?

11 ( +11 / -0 )

WTF is with that picture?!

I think he's nodded off. He is past retirement age, after all. Doddery old men need their sleep.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Katsuto Momii has been under fire after saying last month that the Japanese Imperial Army's system of forcing women into military brothels during World War II was "common in any country at war".

Surprisingly, I haven't seen any blowback from the Japanese right wingers denying this. ie, admission that the Japanese military did in fact force comfort women into brothels.

And the guy can't even admit when he's wrong...why do politicians & other civil servants in Japan have such an issue with this? Being able to acknowledge & admit your mistakes is a sign of strength, not of weakness.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Lie to me ! I like it ! Now it is really sad to watch the good professionals they have and just think that there is a lack substance ..... A code of silence .... No one inside NHK will say anything .... afraid of losing their jobs ..... That's the way it starts ..... If things keep going this way ..... Abe and his gang will get this country back on its knees ..... It happened once in history and it can sure repeat itself .... this country went through these issues before 45 .

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Abe san is now installing all his right-wing cronies to all public fund corporation like NHK, so that they can proclaim to the world that ; "We have been the quiet boy for the past 69 years, it's time Nippon making some noise heard, yeah we want to stir up the old wounds to make our neighbours hate us so that we can justify to increase our defence spending......"

Folks the fun is just beginning.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Lots of things to comment on:

@Schopenhauer I remember that happening way back when and nearly falling out of my chair laughing. Thanks for the reminder.

To modify a quote by one of Australia's more colorful former Prime Ministers, Mr. Momi is just the latest in conger line of suck holes.

Seriously, in this day and age the dirty underbelly of reactionary politics in Japan cannot believe that it can continue to speak doubletalk (saying one thing for a domestic audience and another for international consumption).

Although I believe Ambassador Kennedy is playing out of her league, I have to give her top marks for trying. Then again, this supposed blackballing of NHK is not getting much traction in the Japanese press at the current time. Perhaps the time for subtly is over. The US Embassy should perhaps call in somebody from NHK and discuss the possibility of the NHK correspondents in the US not having their press credentials (visas) renewed. A fireside chat with a tame journalist from a major US daily about the ambassador in Japan might also drop a few hints. Nothing like an article in a major US daily to get Tokyo's attention.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Expecting impartiality from Momii is like expecting the same from a neo-Nazi Holocaust denier. Kudos to the photographer for the nice job he did on this creep.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Let's not forget, he didn't get the job in the first place due to having a particular set of skills; rather, he got it because of his age, and because he's a connected man. Simple as that. Give a buffoon a job, expect buffoonery!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Cronyism at its best!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

How can this guy seriously claim the network is impartial or fair given his remarks, the scandalous remarks of at least two others in as many weeks, the scandals of network heads in general, and the refusal to allow an anti-nuke professor to appear on the program they promised he would, and other rock solid evidence the network is towing the right-wing line?

I'm not a violent person, but when I see this pic I truly feel that face needs a good, very hard slap at the ver least.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

“The most important thing is that all NHK staff strictly adhere to the principles of freedom of expression, political neutrality and fairness,”

What a pile of bull. Everyone who has ever worked in a J-company knows that you keep your job by falling in line with what the big shots want. Don't think you'll be seeing too many hard-hitting documentaries on anything that might portray Japan/Abe in a negative light.

5 ( +6 / -2 )

shenanigans!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Birds of a feather flock together.

What can you expect from a guy who is a friend of Shinzo's?

2 ( +3 / -2 )

Momii should rename NHK to ABC - the Abe Broadcasting Corporation.

Lately it increasingly resembles the North Korean broadcaster: showing lengthy hagiographies of potential Olympic medalists one day, then avoiding any mention of them if they fail to achieve, as if they never existed. The non-Japanese winners of events are hardly ever mentioned. This kind of nationalistic claptrap is just what Abe ordered.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Ha ha! It's too late you right-wing oyaji! Everyone already knows what you think. It'll be interesting to see just how long you can keep your BS opinions to yourself!

2 ( +6 / -4 )

As someone who used to work for NHK as a producer for one of their English news programs I can say with full confidence that NHK is and has been anything but impartial. This guy is just a figurehead. They have skewed the news for years.

8 ( +8 / -1 )

I don't know why, but this picture is making me bunch up my fingers into a fist ...

7 ( +7 / -0 )

"Then again, this supposed blackballing of NHK is not getting much traction in the Japanese press at the current time."

That may change. Momii is being questioned in the Diet about the Kennedy issue at this very moment. Ironically being broadcast live by NHK.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

lol Click on that face, see it in large size, remembering that this guy is in parliament discussing his remarks. Can anyone think that this man could be impartial?

There needs to be a competition for a caption of what he's thinking.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Katsuto Momii has been under fire after saying last month that the Japanese Imperial Army's system of forcing women into military brothels during World War II was "common in any country at war".

If what he says is true, he should go ahead and report the untold atrocities of WW2 to the world.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

As an educator in this country, and as a parent whose child is going to be educated here, I find it extremely disturbing that the Education Ministry and political leaders are so willing to revise history to suit their needs, and so unwilling to accept the facts of the past, particularly when there is an overwhelming amount of empirical, historical evidence refuting their claims. This guy ought to be removed from his post at NHK, plain and simple. I am really tired of politicians and other people in power here doing ridiculous things, upsetting people here and in other Asian countries, and then trying to slough off their stupidity/actions as being those of an individual, as opposed to the actions of someone who clearly is a part of the government.

I've lived here for almost 20 years, and I've seen this farce repeated more times than i can count. It's past time that someone in government here makes an apology for the past - one that cannot be retracted or refuted by future politicians. I won't hold my breath waiting for it to happen, however. Just like politicians in the States, politicians here seem tone deaf in the extreme.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Gene WheelerFeb. 20, 2014 - 11:31AM JST

As an educator in this country, and as a parent whose child is going to be educated here, I find it extremely disturbing that the Education Ministry and political leaders are so willing to revise history to suit their needs, and so unwilling to accept the facts of the past, particularly when there is an overwhelming amount of empirical, historical evidence refuting their claims

Strange. Are you saying armies of other countries did not rape women or did not use prostitutes and that there are overwhelming evidence that they did not?

-13 ( +1 / -15 )

Anybody who thinks nhk has EVER been neutral isn't paying attention, sorry, simple truth!

There is NO possibility of being neutral its run by the govt!! Japan largely spoon feed the countries media, telling them what to say, the media country wide is spineless, always has been!

The only way they can report stuff is on the rare occasions when the govt & J-inc ""screw up"" & fail to keep something out of the media or it gets reported by the foreign press, then it becomes fair game & they all jump on the wagon.

Again nhk has NEVER been impartial, only the level of propaganda & agenda's has varied over time!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Strange. Are you saying armies of other countries did not rape women or did not use prostitutes and that there are overwhelming evidence that they did not?

Strange, I re-read his post a few times and I don't see that he said anything like either of you if/or scenarios. Maybe you were reading someone else's post?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I don't know why, but this picture is making me bunch up my fingers into a fist ...

You're not the only one.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

When I saw the pic, I had serious doubts regarding the impartiality of the article, but I was pleasantly surprised. The article included things like “according to many mainstream historians” and “there are varying accounts on the number of victims”. So his views are not necessarily wrong…

Would he still be expected to refrain from expressing his personal views if those views agreed with the many mainstream historians?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

If you believe the occasional nitwit one can encounter here, it were the Americans raping their way through Japan.These same people probably also still believe that Americans have horns like devils, as the Japanese public were made to believe by Tojo & Co. Of course they know that Americans don't have horns, even the really feeble minded folks found that out in '45, and of course they are pretty much aware of the rampage Japan inflicted on their victims, the problem is, they just can't handle the truth. These weasels try to compare oranges with apples, all they can come up with is "other countries did it too". They are mistaken there as well, other countries did not. Well, the only other country I can think of was Nazi Germany, you know, your WW2 palls. Not something to be proud of. And even Nazis stationed in China were taken aback with what they saw. Or were they lying too? Or were they deemed mentally impaired, like those Japanese soldiers were made out for when describing the atrocities they had participated in? While I am pretty sure that American and allied service personal were engaged in raping here in Japan and elsewhere, it was not state sanctioned or promoted on a scale the Japanese did. This Momii fellow, his boss Abe and likewise ilk should have their barfing orifices, both of them, be serviced by long lines of eagerly waiting men, you know, to give them an idea what it must have been like for all those girls and women who were violated then and are still being violated through these denials and ludicrous "personal opinions" by people in high places.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@HowardStern

As someone who used to work for NHK as a producer for one of their English news programs I can say with full confidence that NHK is and has been anything but impartial. This guy is just a figurehead. They have skewed the news for years.

Case in point: I get all my Fukushima scoops FROM NEWS AGENCIES ABROAD! Funny that! NHK doesn't have an investigative journalism bone in its collective body. Seriously awful. Might as well have robots report the news!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

"...the government distances itself from the remarks—saying they were “comments made as an individual”.*

This is the common excuse. Politicians visit Yasukuni 'as individuals', and bureaucrats can spout flat out lies about the war 'as individuals' like it's some get out of jail free card. I say that if that's how they think 'as individuals' then as individuals they are not qualified to do the job.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

forzaducatiFeb. 20, 2014 - 02:11PM JST

These weasels try to compare oranges with apples, all they can come up with is "other countries did it too".

Here they come again. Why cannot you let truth be told? If "other countries did it too", then the "other country" is just as liable and the victims of the "other country" deserves redress just as much.

If a journalist wants to report the untold histories of WW2, why not?

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

What a piece of crap this guy is, look at his face, what an a-hole.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Let us be very fair. Katsuto Momii was right when he said, US conducted the war crime trials against those Japanese Imperial Army to concealed America's nuclear atrocities to Hiroshima and Nagasaki but he was wrong when he said it is normal for every nation to have sex slaves during those war time.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

"Katsuto Momii was right when he said, US conducted the war crime trials against those Japanese Imperial Army to concealed America's nuclear atrocities "

No he wasn't. That's what the rightists don't understand. There were people all over the world who were screaming for justice and who think the War Crimes Tribunal never went far enough.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The question here should be just be what sort of history is taught in Japan that Katsuto Momii should believe his musings to be true???

My mother can remember the wartime period in the UK and she has never mentioned any US slavery to me.......

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Katsuto Momii was right when he said, US conducted the war crime trials against those Japanese Imperial Army to concealed America's nuclear atrocities to Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Sorry, but this is factually incorrect. The world knew about both bombings the next day via the news services such as the BBC. It was quite clear what happened.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/9/newsid_3580000/3580143.stm

Momii is an idiot.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

How come he can "cancel" his comments but I can`t cancel my NHK?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Answering questions like a boss.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

sighclopsFeb. 20, 2014 - 02:22PM JST

I get all my Fukushima scoops FROM NEWS AGENCIES ABROAD!

From where did the "news agencies abroad" get their news? They did not have any independent news source.

As far as I know, all of their news was translation of Japanese news with additional speculations to make stories more sensational. There was nothing new in their news.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Did I get thumbs down for my horrible typing (*mispelled preposterous)? I am very willing to listen to what was wrong with my statement, but considering the U.S. embassy called Naoki Hyakuta's remarks preposterous, I think they are a big part of Kennedy not wanting to go on NHK. It seems these comments are not findable on Japan Today, related articles are not available to read from a few weeks ago, so heres a link.

http://world.time.com/2014/02/07/japanese-nhk-officials-world-war-ii/

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

That look says to me: say what you like, I am untouchable.

Really want to shake him and shout at him to stop being such an utter moron. Singlehandedly ruined the reputation of NHK. He should keep his views to himself... and retire!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Thunderbird2Feb. 20, 2014 - 05:02PM JST

That look says to me: say what you like, I am untouchable.

If you video-record someone for a few minutes, you can get a couple of fanny face moments. Reputable news agencies will not use such photos.

-3 ( +1 / -5 )

you can get a couple of fanny face moments

Perfect description of the photo and, coincidently, the man himself.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

zichiFeb. 20, 2014 - 05:14PM JST

both original material and also material that comes available from the domestic news sources. They also conduct their own interviews and news gathering.

During the crisis of March, 2011, all the information about the situations of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant came from either Japanese Government or TEPCO. The news conference was open to anyone. BBC or CNN did not have any independent news source to know the situations in the plant. All they could do was to add speculation.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

'Singlehandedly ruined the image of NHK' Don't forget the philosopher much enamored with ritual suicide. There could be more to come. I wouldn't go as far as calling it a team effort yet, but it's still early days.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

zichiFeb. 20, 2014 - 06:21PM JST

OK. I may have been ambiguous in my expression. Let me clarify.

As far as I know, all of their news was translation of Japanese news source with additional speculations to make stories more sensational.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

This clown should be made to eat his words. Head of NHK?? what a disgrace to entire nation..

2 ( +2 / -0 )

zichiFeb. 20, 2014 - 06:44PM JST

Within hours the foreign media were on the ground in Tohoku.

How many of them were allowed to go inside Fukushima Daiichi NPP during the crisis? What news did they get in Tohoku if none was allowed inside?

-7 ( +0 / -6 )

"the Japanese Imperial Army’s system of forcing women into military brothels during World War II was “common in any country at war”.

Um, no.

2 ( +1 / -0 )

This report is funny. Claims Momii is, all was right.

"In WWII, the comfort women (professional prostitute). That existed in the country"

That is right.

Nanjing incident that claims of communist China. "No one credit"

There is a record that says the population of Nanjing at the time with 200,000 people.

Are you sure you want to killing 300,000 people how?

Is impossible.

-9 ( +1 / -8 )

absolutely classic photo!

NHK chief vows impartiality after wartime sex slavery remarks

I think he should vow to resign, no?

Why is this always an international/ Asian issue, and not a women's issue in Japan?? I understand China and Korea getting up in arms about these remarks, but am kind of sad there is not more vocal disgust from women in Japan about it. He is saying it is ok to kidnap women and rape them and everyone does it. Individual Japanese including women reject these remarks as distasteful, but there isn't a feminist reaction per se, making it a women's issue.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

There are some women who oppose these views from the viewpoint of sexism and misogyny, but feminist movement is virtually nonexistent in Japan. Yet another group of people that are marginalized by the bureaucrats.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The old man in the photo looks like he is in the midst of having a stroke!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Just look at that arrogant stupid face. To think that Shinzo Abe pushed for this creature to head NHK shows you what kind of animal Shinzo Abe is.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why Japanese cannot face now and future rather than looking back past and trying to revise history that is already accepted generally? Why digging half-heeled wounds of own and others? Surely, Chinese and Koreans may use "history cards" sometime to gain their own political agenda (and why shouldn't they?), but it is really Japanese who are giving them excuses to do so. Japan should learn how to act after loosing the war from Germany.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A national Japanese journalists’ association and rights groups, as well as thousands of NHK viewers, have demanded Momii’s resignation, as the government distances itself from the remarks—saying they were “comments made as an individual”.

At least this part gives me hope that a lot of citizens knows the lie NHK wants to feed and realises what a shame the network seems to be. Sure if it was lot more it would be good but the fact this happened is a right step in the direction.

CH3CHO FEB. 20, 2014 - 08:02PM JST If a journalist wants to report the untold histories of WW2, why not?

Here comes the right-winger, the master of derailing the arguments. Totally irrelevant to the topic at hand.

There is a record that says the population of Nanjing at the time with 200,000 people. Are you sure you want to killing 300,000 people how?

Numbers are not important. The importance is that the civilian casualties happened in quite a massive scale. While I'm on the number, even if it's 200,000, it doesn't make it any better.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I was hoping NHK employees would stand up and denounce Momii's impartial and indifferent attitude toward the victims. If there was ever a time it is now to stand up against a politically motivated boss.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

He needs to resign. He is entitled to his opinion but the office he holds does is not.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I am very tired of the same old sham attacks being made against Japan again and again. Yes it is of course true that such things do happen in every war every time. In World War II on the allied side, hundreds of thousands of French, German and Itlaian women were made into sex slaves and serves the armies of the allies and not only that but the American troops were notoriious for countless rapes as many as 700 a day in occupied France, while under the Germans there were none. It is well known among any resputable historians and well doccumented by any individual who was there. the fact that it was arranged by locals usually and for money in the European theater and arranged by force in the Far East is a differnce of ethos and culture, not of history and fact. The same happened in China during their won army's occupation of areas..and by the Rusisans as well who literally ravaged Berlin during their occupation of that area which is also well doccumented, the only safe places for women left alive in Berlin during the Soviet invasion were the huge flak towers otherwise they were 'fair game" and considered prizes of war by the Soviet troops. It is time we are honest and stopped blaming the Japanese of today for the events of long ago.

The NHK is as reputable and decent as any modern news agency and better by far than the major US networks who are now totally under the sway and domination of the liberal slant and always push the liberal agenda focusing on bizarre and far out sides of issues and fomenting rancor and hostility to make headlines...with their aggressive and biases coverage of riots and events trying to make them into major social movements so they can sell air time. The BBC which was once reputable and reliable is just as bad so we should not blame the NKH when it is actually better than most.

I hope this post can survive a while but the bias i speak of is widespread and it is popular these days to blanket blame the Japanese for events that were common in war just as the Head of the NKH said with candor and honesty. I admire him for that.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

In World War II on the allied side, hundreds of thousands of French, German and Itlaian women were made into sex slaves and serves the armies of the allies and not only that but the American troops were notoriious for countless rapes as many as 700 a day in occupied France, while under the Germans there were none.

Nonsense. Are you telling me that that above mentioned governments set up government sanctioned "comfort stations" like the Japanese did? Where's your proof? Who are these "reputable historians"? Let me guess, are they "reputable" Japanese historians? I'm half German. My Father left Germany during the 1930's. My Grandfather and Grandmother, along with their extended relatives, saw the persecution of their Jewish friends at the hands of the Nazis. In 1947-48, some of my extended relatives returned to Germany to help in the reconstruction. They were told of the rapes that occurred when the Soviets invaded Berlin. These were rapes of opportunity and revenge for the rapes and destruction wrought by the Nazis when they invaded Russia. There was no mention of the Soviets setting up "comfort stations" like the Japanese. Rapes are rapes. Rapes of opportunity by the Soviets, Germans et al. or rapes committed by Japanese soldiers at Japanese government sanctioned rape stations are the same. Men like Momii and his ilk, are pathetic, incompetent liars. He should be put out to pasture.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Guy Fawkes Feb. 21, 2014 - 06:10AM JST There was no mention of the Soviets setting up "comfort stations" like the Japanese. Rapes are rapes. Rapes of opportunity by the Soviets, Germans et al. or rapes committed by Japanese soldiers at Japanese government sanctioned rape stations are the same.

Nonetheless, one must distinguish between rape used as a genocidal weapon of war and the comfort system with its official, intended purpose of regulating prostitution. Beyond this lies the problem of ascertaining operational details of the comfort system, such as the issue of forced recruitment, payment, and working conditions, which varied widely depending on the location and period. There is, moreover, the problem of how one defines being "forced," which is one of the major bones of contention in the compensation issue, even after the Japanese government's admission that some comfort women were forcibly recruited. Thus it is no accident that Japanese ex-comfort women are conspicuously absent in the redress movement.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Nonetheless, one must distinguish between rape used as a genocidal weapon of war and the comfort system with its official, intended purpose of regulating prostitution. Beyond this lies the problem of ascertaining operational details of the comfort system, such as the issue of forced recruitment, payment, and working conditions, which varied widely depending on the location and period. There is, moreover, the problem of how one defines being "forced," which is one of the major bones of contention in the compensation issue, even after the Japanese government's admission that some comfort women were forcibly recruited. Thus it is no accident that Japanese ex-comfort women are conspicuously absent in the redress movement.

Oh, please. Spare me from having to read this drivel. There was nothing comfortable about the "comfort stations". The one constant about the "comfort stations" was the abuse, rape and brutalization of women from many different ethnic backgrounds. I'm not only talking about Korean women forced to "serve" Japanese soldiers. What about the Filipino, Dutch, Chinese and Malayan women, among others, forcibly taken and enslaved into prostitution by the Japanese Imperial Army? I suggest you read the story Jan Ruff O'Herne and how she "enjoyed" serving the Emperor's soldiers. Why do I think that Japanese ex-comfort women are conspicuously absent in the redress movement? You tell me. What do you think would happen to them if they spoke up? Look what happened to former PM Yukio Hatoyama when he visited Nanjing and apologized. He was branded a traitor by Japanese politicians.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Guy Fawkes,

In 1965 treaty, South Korea agreed never to make further compensation demands against Japan, either at a government or individual level, after receiving U.S. $800 million. After you finalize the settlement, and receive all the monies as demanded, are you going back to the accuser 40 or 50 years later and say "it's not enough, give more money"? These comfort women should take up the issue with their own goverment.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

In 1965 treaty, South Korea agreed never to make further compensation demands against Japan, either at a government or individual level, after receiving U.S. $800 million. After you finalize the settlement, and receive all the monies as demanded, are you going back to the accuser 40 or 50 years later and say "it's not enough, give more money"? These comfort women should take up the issue with their own goverment.

Where did I make a reference to compensation? Stay on topic. Go back and reread my original post. I'm talking about asinine comments made by Momii and other commenters here who seem to think that women forcibly taken and enslaved into prostitution by the Japanese Imperial Army did so by their own volition. My God. Japanophiles are a strange bunch.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Guy FawkesFeb. 21, 2014 - 07:24AM JSTWhere did I make a reference to compensation? Stay on topic. Go back and reread my original post. I'm talking about asinine comments made by Momii and other commenters here who seem to think that women forcibly taken and enslaved into prostitution by the Japanese Imperial Army did so by their own volition. My God. Japanophiles are a strange bunch.

If you didn't know, Japan is a democratic country, and you have freedom of expression. Right or wrong, you have freedom of expression, and it also happens in the U.S. Maybe your country does not have freedom of expression.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

CrisGerSanFEB. 21, 2014 - 05:03AM JST I am very tired of the same old sham attacks being made against Japan again and again.

Oh here we go again with this excuse. Every countries endorsed the prostitution at war so it's ok blah blah. Believe me I'm a conservative but even looking at NHK and LDP, they are so extreme at it, they look like some cartoon villains. Average Japanese Citizens seem to realise there is an extreme animosity going between three countries. Forget the root of the cause but they know it's an extremely bad timing to go on with the free speech. Free speech is good and all but if these foggies in NHK don't have good timing. it's going to put Japan in even more uncomfortable place because of their big mouths.

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If you didn't know, Japan is a democratic country, and you have freedom of expression. Right or wrong, you have freedom of expression, and it also happens in the U.S. Maybe your country does not have freedom of expression.

Bingo! Thank you for reinforcing my opinions of Japanophiles. Changing topics that have no relevance to what is being discussed. Brilliant! Thanks for the laugh!

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Guy FawkesFeb. 21, 2014 - 06:10AM JSRapes of opportunity by the Soviets, Germans et al. or rapes committed by Japanese soldiers at Japanese government sanctioned rape stations are the same. Men like Momii and his ilk, are pathetic, incompetent liars. He should be put out to pasture.

Was there any apology by Merkel or the German goverment for German Chansellor Kohl visting visiting Bitberg in 1985? Reagan and Kohl lay a wreath there in remembance of 49 SS and over 2000 German soldiers. Jewish organization said Reagan and Kohl's decision to visit Bitburg was "deeply offensive." Jewish organizations could not believe that they "would visit a German military cemetery and refuse to visit Dachau or any other concentration camp." Reagan made matters worse by appearing to equate dead German soldiers with the victims of the Holocaust. "They were victims," he said of the soldiers buried at Bitburg, "just as surely as the victims in the concentration camps." How can you compare?

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Was there any apology by Merkel or the German goverment for German Chansellor Kohl visting visiting Bitberg in 1985? Reagan and Kohl lay a wreath there in remembance of 49 SS and over 2000 German soldiers. Jewish organization said Reagan and Kohl's decision to visit Bitburg was "deeply offensive." Jewish organizations could not believe that they "would visit a German military cemetery and refuse to visit Dachau or any other concentration camp." Reagan made matters worse by appearing to equate dead German soldiers with the victims of the Holocaust. "They were victims," he said of the soldiers buried at Bitburg, "just as surely as the victims in the concentration camps." How can you compare?

No you don't. Stay on topic as I'm not going to play your game. Be an adult. We are discussing the systematic brutalization of women by the Japanese Imperial Army and the constant denials made Japanese politicians and people in power.

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Guy FawkesFeb. 21, 2014 - 08:04AM JSTNo you don't. Stay on topic as I'm not going to play your game. Be an adult. We are discussing the systematic brutalization of women by the Japanese Imperial Army and the constant denials made Japanese politicians and people in power.

Why don't you ask this questions to Korean Goverment? Facts are, complete issue from WWII was settled in 1965 treaty. Do you know what treaty is? It is the responsiblity of Korean goverment since they told Japan goverment that they would handle the individual compensation. Where is your proof? Whatever the case, the South Korean government needs to be forthright about the fact it spent the compensation money and take some responsibility itself, instead of blustering that Japan “hasn’t apologized nor compensated enough.” If the South Korean government had done it’s part back in the 60′s and disbursed compensation efficiently to those Koreans conscripted by the Japanese into corporations and the military during WWII, this problem wouldn’t exist today. And if by chance there were more legitimate claims than compensation money originally agreed to, at least there would have been a baseline amount to calculate any overage on. As it is now, I can see why Japan feels, why are you asking for more money when Korean goverment didn’t even use what Japan gave you for the intended purpose.

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Guy FawkesFeb. 21, 2014 - 06:10AM JST

Are you telling me that that above mentioned governments set up government sanctioned "comfort stations" like the Japanese did?

Right now in 21st century, many European countries have government sanctioned prostitutes. They give license to prostitutes and regulate them.

Guy FawkesFeb. 21, 2014 - 06:59AM JST

There was nothing comfortable about the "comfort stations".

Report No. 49: Japanese Prisoners of War Interrogation on Prostitution, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF WAR INFORMATION, October 1, 1944 http://www.exordio.com/1939-1945/codex/Documentos/report-49-USA-orig.html

A "comfort girl" is nothing more than a prostitute or "professional camp follower" attached to the Japanese Army for the benefit of the soldiers.

They lived in near-luxury in Burma in comparison to other places. This was especially true of their second year in Burma. They lived well because their food and material was not heavily rationed and they had plenty of money with which to purchase desired articles. They were able to buy cloth, shoes, cigarettes, and cosmetics to supplement the many gifts given to them by soldiers who had received "comfort bags" from home.

Guy Fawkes, we have unforeseeable past, dont we?

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Why don't you ask this questions to Korean Goverment? Facts are, complete issue from WWII was settled in 1965 treaty. Do you know what treaty is? It is the responsiblity of Korean goverment since they told Japan goverment that they would handle the individual compensation. Where is your proof? Whatever the case, the South Korean government needs to be forthright about the fact it spent the compensation money and take some responsibility itself, instead of blustering that Japan “hasn’t apologized nor compensated enough.” If the South Korean government had done it’s part back in the 60′s and disbursed compensation efficiently to those Koreans conscripted by the Japanese into corporations and the military during WWII, this problem wouldn’t exist today. And if by chance there were more legitimate claims than compensation money originally agreed to, at least there would have been a baseline amount to calculate any overage on. As it is now, I can see why Japan feels, why are you asking for more money when Korean goverment didn’t even use what Japan gave you for the intended purpose.

You are just as delusional as Momii. Why are you bring up compensation again? Stop changing the topic. There are more than enough women, from many different countries, still alive to testify that the "comfort women" system was forced prostitution. Once again a Japanese playing the victim card. How cute.

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In 1947-48, some of my extended relatives returned to Germany to help in the reconstruction. They were told of the rapes that occurred when the Soviets invaded Berlin. These were rapes of opportunity and revenge for the rapes and destruction wrought by the Nazis when they invaded Russia. There was no mention of the Soviets setting up "comfort stations" like the Japanese. Rapes are rapes.

Nonsense. When Soviet troops were heading to Germany, Stalin declared Martial Law to marauders and rapists. This order one could see in displays of military museums inside Russia. Stalin perfectly knew how to support and enforce a discipline in Soviet Army. A bunch or rapists and marauders would never storm and seize a Berlin. There were isolated incidents . Also, there were well-documented cases concerning to executed rapists.

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Nonsense. When Soviet troops were heading to Germany, Stalin declared Martial Law to marauders and rapists. This order one could see in displays of military museums inside Russia. Stalin perfectly knew how to support and enforce a discipline in Soviet Army. A bunch or rapists and marauders would never storm and seize a Berlin. There were isolated incidents . Also, there were well-documented cases concerning to executed rapists.

Nonsense. Rape occurred regularly when the Germans invaded Russia, and vice versa. You're right about Stalin's statement. However, is this proof that rape was not wide-spread and not committed by the Soviets? Hardly. Stalin is also quoted as saying, "Understand it if a soldier who has crossed thousands of kilometres through blood and fire and death has fun with a woman or takes some trifle." and "We lecture our soldiers too much; let them have their initiative." The last quote was said after Stalin was told about the rapes committed by Soviet troops. The Soviets were not the only Allies to have committed rape. The Americans, British, Canadians, et al. all committed atrocities, including rape.

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Guy FawkesFeb. 21, 2014 - 10:03AM JST Why are you bring up compensation again?

Because it's all about compensation. After acknowledging the involvement of the military in the comfort system in 1992, the J-government conducted formal investigations into the matter before it admitted in 1993 that there had been coercive recruitment in some cases. PM Miyazawa indicated that the government would come up with some vague gesture in lieu of compensation for the survivors. The Miyazawa's goverment was unable to act on this for reasons. The Korean Council and other support groups were opposed to any measure that evaded Japan's legal responsibility. The ruling LDP was trapped between its admission of coercive recruitment and its unwillingness to say or do anything that might indicate legal responsibility. Japan was concerned about the class-action lawsuit, stunned by numerous compensation lawsuit, and Japanese immediately assumed that the comfort women survivors were motivated by economic gain. This is the reason why many backed the J-government position that the 1965 agreement normalizing relations between Korea and Japan had settled all reparation issues.

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Guy Fawkesб

you have demonstrated the following, taken from dailymail web site :

In his fine new book, World War Two: Behind Closed Doors, the historian Laurence Rees points out that although rape was officially a crime in the Red Army, in fact, Stalin explicitly condoned it as a method of rewarding the soldiers and terrorising German civilians. Stalin said people should ' understand it if a soldier who has crossed thousands of kilometres through blood and fire and death has fun with a woman or takes some trifle'. On another occasion, when told that Red Army soldiers sexually maltreated German refugees, he said: 'We lecture our soldiers too much; let them have their initiative.'

The problem is that Stalin never gave interviews, conserning to "rapists in Soviet Army. Your Laurence Rees is a liar. Plain and simple.

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kuro;piss wrote My mother can remember the wartime period in the UK and she has never mentioned any US slavery to me.......

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Because Allied did not have such system. Just invention of Japanese military. Like your mother, I can remember the wartime period and remember I was shocked to read on newspaper articles that wrote Military officials' proud comments on 'utilizing worthless females to war cause." I was in an elementary school but loved to read anything. No TV era.

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Its a funny thing, but I doubt you will find an unbiased human alive on Earth. Its not really a question of if Momii is biased. Of course he is! But can he run NHK in a manner that is as balanced as humanly possible? Well, truth be told, its never been a conservative hallmark has it? Some bias will always bleed through no matter who leads, but it seems to me its liberal minded people who tend have the ability to keep it to a minimum and not conservatives who spend so much breath denying their country's wartime misdeeds. To be as unbiased as possible, it is a great help to not start from a position of nationalistic delusion.

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