Japan: "Comfort Women" are denied justice
Updated: 27 February 2008
South Korean Gil Won Ok, 80, leads a protest outside the Japanese Embassy on November 12, 2007 in London, England. Gil was among the 'comfort women' held as sex slaves by the Japanese military during World War Two and is part of the ongoing campaing for recognition and compensation by the Japanese government.
Cate Gillon/Getty Images
During World War II, occupying forces of the Imperial Japanese Army forced about 200,000 women into sexual slavery. Many of these "comfort women" were under 20 years old. "Comfort stations" sprang up in the countries and territories of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands where this army fought.
These women endured physical, mental, and sexual abuse as they "serviced" as many as 50 soldiers a day. At the end of the war, many were killed. Others died in combat and some were just left stranded. For over six decades the survivors have been denied justice.
The Japanese government claims that post-war peace treaties have settled claims for compensation. However, the Asian Women's Fund, set up by the government to address the issue of compensation, failed to meet international guidelines on reparation and compensation and was dissolved in March 2007. The government has yet to make a clear, public apology that recognizes the institutional role of the military and government in the sexual enslavement of these women.
TAKE ACTION:
Please write to the Japanese Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Ask them to honour the lives of survivors, their families, and supporters by making a public, formal apology in the Japanese parliament, the National Diet, that is acceptable to the majority of survivors and their immediate relatives.
- Ask them to give direct, adequate, and effective compensation to those affected in order to remedy the injuries and the lost opportunities and livelihoods.
WRITE TO:
Mr. Yasuo Fukuda
Prime Minister
2-3-1 Nagata-cho
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-0014
JAPAN
Start your letter: Dear Prime Minister
Fax: 011 813 3592 0179
Email: jpm@kantei.go.jp
Postage:$1.55
Mr. Masahiko Kōmura
Minister of Foreign Affairs
2-2-1 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8919
JAPAN
Start your letter: Dear Minister
Postage: $1.55