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[TK4Lakers]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/25/comfort.women.ap/index.html

Here's a link in today's CNN that has documents showing that Japan ran its own brothels or "comfort women" for American GI's.

I am posting this just to start a friendly discussion and feel out what other's opinions are on this matter.

And to take it a step further, can we indirectly assume that Japan did indeed run brothels in other Asian countries during the war? It kind of irks me that PM Shinzo Abe will not admit to it, saying there is no real proof...it kind of makes me think that the Japanese government tore up any and all evidence that proved it.

One more question. This quote from the article jumped out at me:
"The strategy was, through the special work of experienced women, to create a breakwater to protect regular women and girls."

Of course sex brothels are very immoral. But do you feel that they do serve some good purpose? Coming from America, my natural instinct is to answer no. But they seem to be open to the public in other places, such as Asia and Europe. After having dinner with a Japanese friend one night, he said although he thinks they are immoral, they serve a good purpose in that it does prevent rape and lower crime. Not sure if anyone could back this up, but what do you think?

[markle]

Oh man, is this going to get messy.

First I'll answer the wartime question.
Yes the Japanese government could do more to address the treatment of 'comfort women', but I do understand the resentment on their part for being singled out when EVERY military provides a similar service, just in varying degrees of direct involvement.

As for the whole brothels/ immorality thing well, I think it comes down to administration. Where brothels are legal (BTW there are NO legal brothels anywhere in Asia) there is at least some opportunity for the women and men involved to have some power over their situation. In places where it is illegal then sex workers have virtually no power and THAT is immoral.

[JimDunlop2]

[BradS]

[canuck]

[jademonkey]