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everything-is-everything
Joined: 06 Jun 2011
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 Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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First off, I want to apologise for some of my brutal spelling and grammar mistakes on this thread. 
I'm disgusted with myself.
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| everything-is-everything wrote: |
Then why don't we see similar actions by those other nations?
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I posted a link to similar actions by Taiwanese nationals including a statement by a member of the government....why did you ignore that? (last post on the last page.) |
Could you post my full quote? I don't recall everything I said and can't find it in this thread. |
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pugwall
Joined: 22 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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| everything-is-everything wrote: |
First off, I want to apologise for some of my brutal spelling and grammar mistakes on this thread.
I'm disgusted with myself.
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| everything-is-everything wrote: |
Then why don't we see similar actions by those other nations?
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I posted a link to similar actions by Taiwanese nationals including a statement by a member of the government....why did you ignore that? (last post on the last page.) |
Could you post my full quote? I don't recall everything I said and can't find it in this thread. |
I am sure you are not a bad person or anything, but you are woefully ignorant of an issue that you have spent so much time posting on and it is just rather tedious. Why don't YOU read some of the many many many links posted on this thread and why dont YOU go and google information and find things out for yourself rather than comment on a serious issue. I recommend you read Hicks ' The Comfort Women' which you should be able to find in Kyobo. The comfort women from all the other countries have protested. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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| everything-is-everything wrote: |
First off, I want to apologise for some of my brutal spelling and grammar mistakes on this thread.
I'm disgusted with myself.
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| everything-is-everything wrote: |
Then why don't we see similar actions by those other nations?
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I posted a link to similar actions by Taiwanese nationals including a statement by a member of the government....why did you ignore that? (last post on the last page.) |
Could you post my full quote? I don't recall everything I said and can't find it in this thread. |
Here's the link.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/08/12/2003480180
So yes we do see similar actions by other nations...it's just that the number of Korean women (depending on which sources you read) has been estimated as high as 90% of all the comfort women...so that's why it's a bigger issue here. |
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jeronimoski
Joined: 11 Apr 2011
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 4:49 am Post subject: re |
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| Doesn't seem like an apology to me. |
Japanese apologies:
"I come before you to offer myself to the judgment of the powers you represent, as one to bear sole responsibility for every political and military decision made and action taken by my people in the conduct of the war."
"We view with deep regret the vexation we caused to the people of Burma in the war just passed. In a desire to atone, if only partially, for the pain suffered, Japan is prepared to meet fully and with goodwill its obligations for war reparations. The Japan of today is not the Japan of the past, but, as its Constitution indicates, is a peace-loving nation."
"In our two countries' long history there have been unfortunate times, it is truly regrettable and we are deeply remorseful"
"I am painfully aware of Japan's responsibility for inflicting serious damages [on Asian nations] during the past war."
"1. The Japanese Government and the Japanese people are deeply aware of the fact that acts by our country in the past caused tremendous suffering and damage to the peoples of Asian countries, including the Republic of Korea (ROK) and China, and have followed the path of a pacifist state with remorse and determination that such acts must never be repeated. Japan has recognized, in the Japan-ROK Joint Communique, of 1965, that the 'past relations are regrettable, and Japan feels deep remorse,' and in the Japan-China Joint Communique, that Japan is 'keenly conscious of the responsibility for the serious damage that Japan caused in the past to the Chinese people through war and deeply reproaches itself."
"It is indeed regrettable that there was an unfortunate past between us for a period in this century and I believe that it should not be repeated again." (Meeting with President Chun Doo Hwan.)
"As we have made clear previously at repeated opportunities, the Japanese government and the Japanese people are deeply conscious of the fact that the actions of our country in the past caused suffering and loss to many people in neighboring countries. Starting from our regret and resolve not to repeat such things a second time, we have followed a course as a "Peace Nation" since then. This awareness and regret should be emphasized especially in the relationship between our countries and the Korean peninsula, our nearest neighbors both geographically and historically. At this opportunity as we face a new situation in the Korean peninsula, again, to all peoples of the globe, concerning the relationship of the past, we want to express our deep regret and sorrow"
| Quote: |
| Did it ever occur, sir, that maybe you are the one with the agenda and the bias? |
I have no reason to be bias for or against either party. I'm just looking at it from a straight point of view. What's your bias/agenda? You seem to have one yourself.
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| Again, THIS IS NOT A KOREA ISSUE. IT IS A WOMEN'S AND SEXUAL VICTIM'S RIGHTS ISSUE. |
It should just be about that, shouldn't it?
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| Did it ever occur to you sir, that maybe the people here can "see through" the diplomatic statements and see what is truly meant in say, an East Asian cultural context and determine when someone is genuinely remorseful. Sort of like when the cops say they "regret" that a black kid was shot by an officer. A non-apology apology. |
This makes no sense whatsoever. You are accusing me of knowing nothing about East Asian culture. I can assure you that I've been around long enough (and read many books on the subject) to know enough. Do you still deny that apologies were made? Denying the apology is just another way for someone to continue the hate machine.
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| There is no racism against Japan. |
Go through all the posts on here. Some of the comments were pretty racist, but that's just my opinion.
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| Let's take Korea and Japan out of the equation and simply call them 'victims' and 'government X'. Now you look at the history and you would clearly say that government X has had a history of denial on this issue and that it's apologies are often only the result of pressure from government X's biggest backer. |
Apologies have been made.
| Quote: |
| And guess what. If the Japanese government/policy makers/perpetrators were truly sorry they would have actively sought out the victims and done all they could domestically to apologize and give compensation. They had to be dragged kicking and screaming into this. We're talking from 1946-2011. |
You are losing sight of who is responsible. You are saying that all these people are to blame for what happened during World War II. Would you like every single Japanese person to bow down and apologize at the same time? Would that make things better? And I think it would help if you read about Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea:
"Twenty years after World War II, South Korea and Japan re-established diplomatic relations with the 1965 signing of the Treaty on Basic Relations. In 2005, South Korea disclosed diplomatic documents that detailed the proceedings of the treaty. Kept secret for 40 years, the documents revealed that Japan provided 500 million dollars in soft loans and 300 million in grants to South Korea as compensation for its 1910-45 occupation, and that South Korea agreed to demand no more compensation after the treaty, either at a government-to-government level or an individual-to-government level.[22] It was also revealed that the South Korean government assumed the responsibility for compensating individuals on a lump sum basis[23] while rejecting Japan's proposal for direct compensation.[24]"
Last edited by jeronimoski on Wed Dec 28, 2011 6:41 am; edited 1 time in total |
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pedrotaves
Joined: 02 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 5:05 am Post subject: |
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reading the arguments by the people who say that the japanese apologies aren't "real" reminds me of the curb episode from this past season.
that is a ... bow! |
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everything-is-everything
Joined: 06 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 7:40 am Post subject: |
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| pugwall wrote: |
I am sure you are not a bad person or anything, but you are woefully ignorant of an issue that you have spent so much time posting on and it is just rather tedious. Why don't YOU read some of the many many many links posted on this thread and why dont YOU go and google information and find things out for yourself rather than comment on a serious issue. I recommend you read Hicks ' The Comfort Women' which you should be able to find in Kyobo. The comfort women from all the other countries have protested. |
The thing is I have taken the time to read every single post and every single link on this thread. It's certainly been a learning experience.
And just because I'm critical of some of the actions held by the "comfort women" agenda, it doesn't mean that I dismiss their pain.
But I'm not looking at this issue from an emotional standpoint. Unfortunatelty, many of the people I'm debating are.
This whole debate really comes down to three main points:
(1) The Japanese have made apologies.
Could they go a step further and pass a resolution in their parliament? Yes, and I'm not sure why they haven't. But don't give me this crap about their apologies being culturally unacceptable. That's b.s. The apologies I and others have listed are genuine. I think most Japanese people are embarassed by their past actions. And screw what the radicals in the Japanese government think. They don't speak for the nation.
(2) The Japanese have made reparations.
Were specific portions of the 1962 agreement specifically earmarked for the comfort women? No, and maybe they should have, but reparations were made by the Japanese to the South Koreans. These reparations were designed to assist individuals who died, were injured or used as laborers. I beleive the comfort women should have fallen under this umbrealla. Unfortunately President Park used the majority of this money on nation building projects and not the victims. Therefore the onus of reparations should fall on the ROK government. But Japanese have always served as the bogieman for Korean politicians so I don't think this will happen.
(3) The statues location is purely political.
This statue could be placed anywhere in the city and it would be so much more respectful in nature to the women who suffered. Instead it's a political gimmick meant to embarass the Japanese and continue the cycle of hate. |
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pr1ncejeffie
Joined: 07 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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Why is it that veterans of ESLCafe always defending Korea no matter how bias it is?
Are you also one of the people that were jumping for joy when the Tsunami hit the Japanese shores this year? Were you jumping with your Korean wife and Korean friends when they said, "they had it coming"?
You want the Japanese to repay the money that has already been given? It is not the Japanese fault that the Korean government did a dishonest thing (really Korean government did something dishonest?!) and not give some money for those heinous acts.
You want them to go to EACH woman and apologize? How would you like it so to make you feel better? For them to bow and apologize? For their kids, grandkids and great grandkids to apologize for what their ancestors did?
How about American soldiers apologizing for each rape they did during the Vietnam War?
How about each Christian apologizing to every molestation that happened to a choir boy?
Please and don't give me that, "you don't know what you're talking about" lecture that veterans of ESLcafe usually gives.... NO i actually do know what I'm talking about. I hear stories from my grandmother about how the Japanese were terrible human beings when she was young in China and my other grandmother who was in Singapore at the time when it all happened. They both equally hate the Japanese more than you guys will ever imagine.
Unlike you, I don't hold a grudge to this current generation or any Japanese after for what their ancestors had done. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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pr1ncejeffie,
Lets be extra crispy clear for you then...
1- I do not hate the Japanese in any way, shape or form.
2- This is not about defending Korea
3- No one is asking every single Japanese to apologize
4- Everyone here gets that current Japanese people have nothing to do with what happened during WWII
5- Formal and official apology has not been made yet, but Japan has done everything but, avoiding the official apology for obvious cultural reasons.
6- Point (5) above is a big irritant to most asian nations that were abused during WWII by Imperial Japanese forces
All this being said, the statue is not an affront to Japan or to the Japanese people, it is a reminder and a show of respect for these women who were adbucted and raped over years by Japanese forces back then.
My brother has been living in Japan for well over a decade and is married to a local gal. Her parents lived through post WWII and her grandparents lived through WWII. In fact, her grandfather (on her dads side) was a sailor in the imperial navy and he sure gets why some of those asian countries remain angry but he also is satisfied his country did not really apologize. He is a pretty interesting man in fact, well worth a chat with.
Your tirade was interesting but perhaps you should focus on why some people in here are so staunchly defending Japan here...heck if anyone is apologizing for a country here it is they for Japan but hey, don't let facts like this get in the way of your rant!
Cheers |
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koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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Nice strawman work there!
You cannot hold your position so you toss out the ole: look a diversion!
There is something more current to focus on...lol
A classic play.
Seriously you could also have cited NK and its regime going into the future, Famine in Africa, Piracy off the coast of Somalia, US sluggish markets, global warming....
What does that have to do with this thread topic?
answer: not a thing but it does take attention away from your fast sinking ship of a argument. 
By the way, what is happening in Iran is terrible, just like what was happening in Afghanistan under the Taliban was horrible. Thats not a debate. |
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everything-is-everything
Joined: 06 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
All this being said, the statue is not an affront to Japan or to the Japanese people, it is a reminder and a show of respect for these women who were adbucted and raped over years by Japanese forces back then.
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bull $hi1~!
They why is it placed next to the Japanese Embassy? |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
"I come before you to offer myself to the judgment of the powers you represent, as one to bear sole responsibility for every political and military decision made and action taken by my people in the conduct of the war."
"We view with deep regret the vexation we caused to the people of Burma in the war just passed. In a desire to atone, if only partially, for the pain suffered, Japan is prepared to meet fully and with goodwill its obligations for war reparations. The Japan of today is not the Japan of the past, but, as its Constitution indicates, is a peace-loving nation."
"In our two countries' long history there have been unfortunate times, it is truly regrettable and we are deeply remorseful"
"I am painfully aware of Japan's responsibility for inflicting serious damages [on Asian nations] during the past war."
"1. The Japanese Government and the Japanese people are deeply aware of the fact that acts by our country in the past caused tremendous suffering and damage to the peoples of Asian countries, including the Republic of Korea (ROK) and China, and have followed the path of a pacifist state with remorse and determination that such acts must never be repeated. Japan has recognized, in the Japan-ROK Joint Communique, of 1965, that the 'past relations are regrettable, and Japan feels deep remorse,' and in the Japan-China Joint Communique, that Japan is 'keenly conscious of the responsibility for the serious damage that Japan caused in the past to the Chinese people through war and deeply reproaches itself."
"It is indeed regrettable that there was an unfortunate past between us for a period in this century and I believe that it should not be repeated again." (Meeting with President Chun Doo Hwan.)
"As we have made clear previously at repeated opportunities, the Japanese government and the Japanese people are deeply conscious of the fact that the actions of our country in the past caused suffering and loss to many people in neighboring countries. Starting from our regret and resolve not to repeat such things a second time, we have followed a course as a "Peace Nation" since then. This awareness and regret should be emphasized especially in the relationship between our countries and the Korean peninsula, our nearest neighbors both geographically and historically. At this opportunity as we face a new situation in the Korean peninsula, again, to all peoples of the globe, concerning the relationship of the past, we want to express our deep regret and sorrow" |
Anyone who knows anything about international relations and international law knows that the words "remorse" and "regret" are non-apology apologies in the diplomatic sphere.
They are a step below an official apology. It is like saying "no-contest" instead of "guilty". It is a way to avoid liability.
So please, spare us the bull about the apologies being real. You're not dealing with morons here. You're dealing with people who understand the nuances of diplomatic statements.
Oh and care to explain this?
Sorry, but if you are engaged in War Crimes denial, your government is fair game.
| Quote: |
Japan's Prime Minister Denies World War II Sex Slaves
By Kozo Mizoguchi
TOKYO - Japan's nationalist prime minister denied on March 1 that the country's military forced women into sexual slavery during World War II, casting doubt on a past government apology and jeopardizing a fragile detente with his Asian neighbors.
The comments by Abe Shinzo, a member of a group of lawmakers pushing to roll back a 1993 apology to the sex slaves, were his clearest statement as prime minister on military brothels known in Japan as �comfort stations.''
Historians say some 200,000 women - mostly from Korea and China - served in the Japanese military brothels throughout Asia in the 1930s and 1940s. Many victims say they were kidnapped and forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops.
But Abe, who since taking office in September has promoted patriotism in Japan's schools and a more assertive foreign policy, told reporters there was no proof the women were forced into prostitution.
�The fact is, there is no evidence to prove there was coercion,'' Abe said.
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo
His remarks contradicted evidence in Japanese documents unearthed in 1992 that historians said showed military authorities had a direct role in working with contractors to forcibly procure women for the brothels.
The documents, which are backed up by accounts from soldiers and victims, said Japanese authorities set up the brothels in response to uncontrolled rape sprees by invading Japanese soldiers in East Asia. |
| Quote: |
| This makes no sense whatsoever. You are accusing me of knowing nothing about East Asian culture. I can assure you that I've been around long enough (and read many books on the subject) to know enough. Do you still deny that apologies were made? Denying the apology is just another way for someone to continue the hate machine. |
Were the apologies sincere? No they weren't.
Not fully apologizing is how you continue the hate machine.
| Quote: |
| Go through all the posts on here. Some of the comments were pretty racist, but that's just my opinion. |
Aside from yaya using the term "Japs" which was pretty offensive, where have TUM or PGHBusan or Captain Corea or I been racist?
| Quote: |
| Were specific portions of the 1962 agreement specifically earmarked for the comfort women? No, and maybe they should have, but reparations were made by the Japanese to the South Koreans. These reparations were designed to assist individuals who died, were injured or used as laborers. I beleive the comfort women should have fallen under this umbrealla. Unfortunately President Park used the majority of this money on nation building projects and not the victims. Therefore the onus of reparations should fall on the ROK government. But Japanese have always served as the bogieman for Korean politicians so I don't think this will happen. |
Unfortunately the comfort women were not considered laborers by either the Japanese or the Korean government.
| Quote: |
You are losing sight of who is responsible. You are saying that all these people are to blame for what happened during World War II. Would you like every single Japanese person to bow down and apologize at the same time? Would that make things better? And I think it would help if you read about Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea:
"Twenty years after World War II, South Korea and Japan re-established diplomatic relations with the 1965 signing of the Treaty on Basic Relations. In 2005, South Korea disclosed diplomatic documents that detailed the proceedings of the treaty. Kept secret for 40 years, the documents revealed that Japan provided 500 million dollars in soft loans and 300 million in grants to South Korea as compensation for its 1910-45 occupation, and that South Korea agreed to demand no more compensation after the treaty, either at a government-to-government level or an individual-to-government level.[22] It was also revealed that the South Korean government assumed the responsibility for compensating individuals on a lump sum basis[23] while rejecting Japan's proposal for direct compensation.[24]" |
Step two is to go after the scuzzbuckets Korean government. Step one, deal with the perpetrators.
The argument comes down to these points"
That mass military rape at gunpoint is a crime. It is a crime committed by a government and it is a war crime.
That as it is a war crime and it is a crime committed by a government that it is appropriate for people to bring grievances to that government and to hold that government accountable.
There should be no statute of limitations on rape and certainly not on mass military rape.
That "I was only following orders" or "It was part of our military culture" are not defenses for rape or war crimes.
The apologies made by the Japanese government are not sincere and are crafted to avoid liability and admitting a sincere mistake. That the apologies are somewhat insincere given the cultural context. That the Japanese government's apologies and shows have regret have paled in comparison to the German government's in terms of WWII.
That it is important to take a strong stand against mass military rape, both in supporting the victims and holding governments accountable.
That given many of the perpetrators were shielded until they passed away by a stonewalling government and that some perpetrators are still alive, that it is not unreasonable to seek action from the present Japanese government.
That the Japanese government has repeatedly issued statements denying the existence of the problem and continues to visit shrines celebrating the war.
That this issue should be viewed the same, no matter what governments are involved. This is as much a sexual victims issue as it is a political one.
That it is absolutely reasonable for this issue to be political and for the women to have government backing. THAT IS WHAT A GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. Advocate for the safety of its citizens and support them in claims against foreign entities.
That hatred to the Japanese, and requiring ordinary Japanese citizens to apologize is wrong. This is about the government, not the people.
That the women have freedom of speech and assembly.
That the embassy is an appropriate place for those women to assemble and speak and to protest.
That a statue is a legitimate expression of protest.
That the statue in no way conveys hate. It symbolizes what the women went through.
That it is in the best interests of the Japanese Government to acknowledge this issue as well and sincerely apologize.
That it is the right of the women to erect the statue across from the embassy as part of their protest.
That women's groups and sexual victims rights groups across the globe support the women and their grievance. That women of the world support them and agree that mass military rape is a crime that cannot be excused and people must be held accountable for.
That the international community and governments who cherish equality and freedom around the world overwhelmingly support the women and their cause.
That their cause is just and their quarrel honorable.I come before you to offer myself to the judgment of the powers you represent, as one to bear sole responsibility for every political and military decision made and action taken by my people in the conduct of the war. |
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everything-is-everything
Joined: 06 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
| Quote: |
"I come before you to offer myself to the judgment of the powers you represent, as one to bear sole responsibility for every political and military decision made and action taken by my people in the conduct of the war."
"We view with deep regret the vexation we caused to the people of Burma in the war just passed. In a desire to atone, if only partially, for the pain suffered, Japan is prepared to meet fully and with goodwill its obligations for war reparations. The Japan of today is not the Japan of the past, but, as its Constitution indicates, is a peace-loving nation."
"In our two countries' long history there have been unfortunate times, it is truly regrettable and we are deeply remorseful"
"I am painfully aware of Japan's responsibility for inflicting serious damages [on Asian nations] during the past war."
"1. The Japanese Government and the Japanese people are deeply aware of the fact that acts by our country in the past caused tremendous suffering and damage to the peoples of Asian countries, including the Republic of Korea (ROK) and China, and have followed the path of a pacifist state with remorse and determination that such acts must never be repeated. Japan has recognized, in the Japan-ROK Joint Communique, of 1965, that the 'past relations are regrettable, and Japan feels deep remorse,' and in the Japan-China Joint Communique, that Japan is 'keenly conscious of the responsibility for the serious damage that Japan caused in the past to the Chinese people through war and deeply reproaches itself."
"It is indeed regrettable that there was an unfortunate past between us for a period in this century and I believe that it should not be repeated again." (Meeting with President Chun Doo Hwan.)
"As we have made clear previously at repeated opportunities, the Japanese government and the Japanese people are deeply conscious of the fact that the actions of our country in the past caused suffering and loss to many people in neighboring countries. Starting from our regret and resolve not to repeat such things a second time, we have followed a course as a "Peace Nation" since then. This awareness and regret should be emphasized especially in the relationship between our countries and the Korean peninsula, our nearest neighbors both geographically and historically. At this opportunity as we face a new situation in the Korean peninsula, again, to all peoples of the globe, concerning the relationship of the past, we want to express our deep regret and sorrow" |
Anyone who knows anything about international relations and international law knows that the words "remorse" and "regret" are non-apology apologies in the diplomatic sphere.
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Care to provide evidence where it is universally accepted in international relations that words like "remorse" and "regret" are non-apologies?
Are you a diplomat?
What the hell are you even talking about? Those are apologies. They're very formal but that's to be accepted in that platform.
What do you expect the Japanese to do? Cry?
What would constitute a proper vocal apology? You seem to know so much about international relations so it should be easy for you. |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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| everything-is-everything wrote: |
| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
All this being said, the statue is not an affront to Japan or to the Japanese people, it is a reminder and a show of respect for these women who were adbucted and raped over years by Japanese forces back then.
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bull $hi1~!
They why is it placed next to the Japanese Embassy? |
A message to the government perhaps?
| koreatimes wrote: |
| Captain Corea wrote: |
| Do members of the Japanese government still pray at shrines that house war criminals? |
Do Koreans still pray at churches associated with a religion much older than the shrines that house war criminals?
Why don't we speak out against the Christian colonization over the world? If people can worship their god, I don't see why we single out one country. You really need a punching bag? |
If you want to make a statue about how the church abused you and yours, I'd be fine with that too. |
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everything-is-everything
Joined: 06 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
| Quote: |
Japan's Prime Minister Denies World War II Sex Slaves
By Kozo Mizoguchi
TOKYO - Japan's nationalist prime minister denied on March 1 that the country's military forced women into sexual slavery during World War II, casting doubt on a past government apology and jeopardizing a fragile detente with his Asian neighbors.
The comments by Abe Shinzo, a member of a group of lawmakers pushing to roll back a 1993 apology to the sex slaves, were his clearest statement as prime minister on military brothels known in Japan as �comfort stations.''
Historians say some 200,000 women - mostly from Korea and China - served in the Japanese military brothels throughout Asia in the 1930s and 1940s. Many victims say they were kidnapped and forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops.
But Abe, who since taking office in September has promoted patriotism in Japan's schools and a more assertive foreign policy, told reporters there was no proof the women were forced into prostitution.
�The fact is, there is no evidence to prove there was coercion,'' Abe said.
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo
His remarks contradicted evidence in Japanese documents unearthed in 1992 that historians said showed military authorities had a direct role in working with contractors to forcibly procure women for the brothels.
The documents, which are backed up by accounts from soldiers and victims, said Japanese authorities set up the brothels in response to uncontrolled rape sprees by invading Japanese soldiers in East Asia. |
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Can you please provide a link to the article?
First of all Abe lasted less then a year as prime minitster. He hardly spoke for the Japanese government.
He didn't deny that forced rape took place in the comfort stations. What Abe meant by �The fact is, there is no evidence to prove there was coercion'' was that Japanese soldiers/officials were not directly involved in kidnapping/tricking Korean women into prostitution.
This is false.
And this is where the issue of comfort women gets tricky.
Did some women know they were going to be prostitutes?
Did others get tricked into it thinking they would be doing something else (kind of like when young Korean girls go overseas today and get coerced into prostitution)?
Or did Japanese troops forceably remove the women from their homes?
All three are corect but unfortunately as the war progressed the last two became the norm. And whether or not Japanese military used mediators to recruit the sex slaves, they're still involved is these disgusting actions. |
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