Japan Today
national

Filipino women raped by Japanese WWII troops demand compensation

76 Comments
By TERESA CEROJANO

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

76 Comments
Login to comment

I'm starting to see why Japan was so reluctant to settle with Korea now. Suddenly it's a gold rush.

-24 ( +17 / -41 )

No disrespect to them, but so it begins...

-23 ( +14 / -37 )

Oh give me a frikken break. What next?

-28 ( +12 / -40 )

"Rape and pillage" isn't a Comfort Women issue. That should have been brought up at the International Tribunal for the Far East following WWII. The only confirmed case of kidnapping women which took place in Indonesia was addressed there. In fact even before the war ended the IJA court martialed the responsible officer on their own. That thePhillipines courts have dismissed these claims brings credibility into question as does jumping on the money wagon at this time.

-19 ( +11 / -30 )

Guess what folks, Japan raped alot of women and children during the war. If Japan raped me, I'd sure as hell be demanding money as well as a sincere apology.

20 ( +31 / -11 )

I'm starting to see why Japan was so reluctant to settle with Korea now. Suddenly it's a gold rush.

And you blame this on the victims? If Japan had honorably settled this long time ago with all the comfort women regardless of their nationality, instead of lying and denying, then this wouldn't be happening today.

22 ( +34 / -12 )

Japan will need to pay for what it did, both literally & figuratively, for a long time to come. What's the solution? Like any solution, the government could start by acknowledging the problem itself. There's no backing out of this one, right-wingers. The world is watching!

15 ( +23 / -8 )

I'm starting to see why Japan was so reluctant to settle with Korea now. Suddenly it's a gold rush.

You mean they should have held back from facing their wrongs so they wouldn't have had to face up to their wrongs? Sounds legit.

14 ( +23 / -9 )

I demand compensation from Japan for all the "thumbs down" I'm getting

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Strangerland, you said it right. Oh what a web of deceit and denial Japan weaves. Stuck in the past. Emulate postwar Germany, not the Tird Reich. Sigh

11 ( +15 / -4 )

Why don't we just demand every nation pay compensation for every rape that occurred during WWII? Women were raped all over the world. Hell, why not for WWI and every other war for that matter?

-11 ( +15 / -26 )

So, what about the woman in Japan who were raped by the occupying forces?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Why can't this country just apologize, shut up, and compensate these women with no ulterior motives and demands? Its not even that much money. Oh thats right, its because Japans face saving culture and lack of accountability. Its always someone elses fault or a "misunderstanding".

You already have people in the comment section accusing these women of being gold diggers.

16 ( +24 / -8 )

I demand compensation from the government too, because that's exactly how I feel when paying for anything in Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kudos to JT for not shying away from using the word "raped". Most domestic Japanese media would use some sort of euphemism instead.

And @Speed: Excellent suggestion! I wholeheartedly agree.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Why don't we just demand every nation pay compensation for every rape that occurred during WWII? Women were raped all over the world. Hell, why not for WWI and every other war for that matter?

Wow! What a flippant comment.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

No disrespect to them, but so it begins...

Thank the gods. It should have begun fifty years ago. Let us hope it will run its course.

And yeah, many other countries should apologize as well. Fighting for that doesn't mean NOT fighting for Japan to face the truth as well. Maybe, if the Japanese people go on giving the example (as I think they are willing to do, uyoku notwithstanding), the people of other countries will force their governments to act as well. This is how revolutions begin.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

@speed there is not enough gold in the world to do so sadly..

7 ( +8 / -1 )

comment as much as you want but now Japan must research the cases and decide if there is truth, if the soldier had already been punished then the case should be closed - as it would have been for the US, France, Germany, Britain etc.

if the case is true but no punishment occurred then compensation should occur, this has nothing to do with war but abrogating what is decent among men.

Society today will not take / and should not take a stance of not caring or it was their fault, or they were the enemy for rape in the war zone. even knowing the instinctual need when faced with death should not give a man the right to give in to that instinct.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Japan will need to pay for what it did, both literally & figuratively, for a long time to come.

Right. And whether they were part of an institutionalized comfort women system or just flat-out "raped" when the Japanese occupied the Philippines- it was wrong.

I grew up with lots of second generation Filipinos in California. Among their parent and especially grandparents, anti-japanese sentiment runs high. I even heard a claim from one of those grandmothers who said as a young teenage girl, her and her sisters ran away from their village upon hearing rumors that other women and girls were being raped.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Why can't this country just apologize, shut up, and compensate these women with no ulterior motives and demands?

How do you know these people are not backed by China? This certainly negatively affects Japan-Filippine relation.

-23 ( +3 / -26 )

News flash: 1.) Japan's comfort women system affected many women in many countries. 2.) Korea isn't the only one who were ever searching for justice for their comfort women. 3.) When other victims of other countries found out that Japan conceded (sort of, maybe not quite?) on this issue, it's only natural they'd speak up more. Japan, if you never wanted to confront all of these problems, you shouldn't have invaded these countries. Simple as that.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

“Is there a difference in the rape of a South Korean and a Filipino woman?”

Yes. South Koreans did it in exchange of money. Filipino women were pure victims.

The Philippines were US territory during and after WW2. When the US and its allies concluded San Francisco Peace treaty with Japan, US waived compensation claims of itself and its people, including the people of its colony, against Japan and Japanese nationals.

So, ask US government why it waived the compensation rights of the rape victims against Japan.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

These accusations need to be checked and proved. Or should Japan just pay anyone who makes a claim.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

tinawatanabe: ""How do you know these people are not backed by China? This certainly negatively affects Japan-Filippine relation."

Yeah, tina, it's all a CHINESE conspiracy (you're not blaming South Korea anymore?) -- certainly not Japan's wrongdoing at all, because Japan is the victim yet again, right?

Take a look at the first four comments on this thread and you get a good idea of why denial in this nation is the reason why so many other nations are STILL demanding apologies and compensation -- none of anything Japan has done to date, IF anything, was sincere or concluded. They'll claim that the raped victims were "whores" or "are fabricating stories to get money", etc.

Time for more statues to go up in front of Japanese embassies, and yes, for the issue to be brought up at the UN. Clearly the claims by said posters and others that this is "only South Korea and therefore proof that it's a lie", etc., are completely bogus, and they can no longer deny Japan kidnapped, raped, and forced many women into prostitution.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

How do you know these people are not backed by China?

Unless you have evidences to backup your Chinese conspiracy theory about those Filipino women , I will place it in the same category as "how do you know the moon is not made of cheese".

14 ( +14 / -0 )

There's something we miss always.In WW2 also German women's raped by americans and russians.History written by victors but the truth is if there's a human right it should not depend on victors act.Also war is a hugest criminal act upon human rights...

1 ( +7 / -6 )

To all those who over the years on JT kept saying it was ONLY SKorea that confronted Japan on the Sex Slaves issue, I give you what you see today!!!

Folks, we all know Japan has been very lame in its admitting of history & its "apologies" have almost always been so vague so as to mean anything & mostly next to nothing, sincerity............NONE what so ever to date, we continue to see some TATEMAE BS from time to time & then pretty much immediately the denials kick in full throttle........

Japans atrocities wrt WWII have ALWAYS been here, just because its been below the surface doesn't mean it WASNT there!!! To me its been obvious it always has been.

Basically Japan hoped time & some $$$ would buy itself out of WWII & give it respect.........sorry didn't work & hasn't for 7decades & counting. The countries in the Far East & SE Asia have given Japan plenty of time & opportunity to deal with this stuff & Japan continues to blow it

I sincerely wish Japan had done a lot better, I get NO JOY pointing out Japans mistakes, wish she would deal with them instead & THEN gain some of the desired respect.............but alas...

9 ( +10 / -1 )

These accusations need to be checked and proved.

Has anyone said otherwise?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

again rewarding a bad behaviour leads to more bad behaviour. Japan giving in to SK demands means that the whole SEA will start wanting the same thing. How stupid of the Abe govt thinking that simply giving in to SK will end their problem. NOT.

These things were settled during the normalization of relationship of countries involved. Americans did the same thing to Japan, raping and pillaging what was remaining of Japan during colonization period. Britain, Germany, France, Spain, and almost all nations has been accused of rapes and pilaging neighboring countries too. So where is it going to end?

Just look at ISIS taking even children to be raped and used as slaves.

Money hungry Philippines, you won't get a dime. You are already receiving BIllions of Dollars from Japan yerly in the form of economic assistance and ODA. Your train system being currently built is also a courtesy of japan so shut up.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

erbaviva JAN. 07, 2016 - 01:03PM JST Money hungry Philippines, you won't get a dime.

Do you have information regarding the history of this 84 years old women?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

To be a victim of rape must be a horrendous and terrifying experience and these women (particularly those who are still alive) deserve some kind of closure or retribution. This should apply to all perpetrators including the allied forces during their occupation of Okinawa.

"According to interviews carried out by the New York Times and published by them in 2000, multiple elderly people from an Okinawan village confessed that after the United States had won the Battle of Okinawa three armed marines kept coming to the village every week to force the villagers to gather all the local women, who were then carried off into the hills and raped. The article goes deeper into the matter and claims that the villagers' tale - true or not - is part of a 'dark, long-kept secret' the unraveling of which 'refocused attention on what historians say is one of the most widely ignored crimes of the war': "the widespread rape of Okinawan women by American servicemen". Although Japanese reports of rape were largely ignored at the time, academic estimates have been that as many as 10,000 Okinawan women may have been raped. It has been claimed that the rape was so prevalent that most Okinawans over age 65 around the year 2000 either knew or had heard of a woman who was raped in the aftermath of the war. Military officials denied the mass rapings, and all surviving veterans refused the New York Times' request for an interview."

the full article presents more instances of rape by the British and Australians and imposed Allied censorship of reporting these crimes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_during_the_occupation_of_Japan

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@Wc626

Right. And whether they were part of an institutionalized comfort women system or just flat-out "raped" when the Japanese occupied the Philippines- it was wrong.

You know, I've only ever heard the terms 'comfort women' and 'prostitution' (ie. the captors were compensated for their 'services') used by Japanese sources on the topic. Funny that. There is no way the IJA compensated anyone for anything. Do you know the extent of their cruelty? Pregnant women had their foetuses surgically removed by the IJA before they were used as sex slaves.

It disgusts me that Japan continues to use terminology like this. The widespread whitewashing & flat-out denial by those in power in Japan should be made known to the world. They have a lot to answer for...

9 ( +10 / -1 )

erbaviva JAN. 07, 2016 - 01:03PM JST You are already receiving BIllions of Dollars from Japan yerly in the form of economic assistance and ODA. Your train system being currently built is also a courtesy of japan so shut up.

How can you compare Japan's compensation to Germany? It's like day and night. Japan’s direct compensation payments both to war victims and their heirs have totaled only $1 billion. I am not talking about Japan's ODA. This contrasts remarkably with Germany’s record. The compensation figures from a decade ago, Germany’s direct payments to victims and their heirs had exceeded $70 billion. The contrast is all the more remarkable for the fact that Imperial Japan’s victims outnumbered those of the Nazis by at least three to one. The truth is that most of Japan’s victims, including millions in China, have not received a penny. And in the small minority of cases in which compensation has been paid, the sums have been laughable.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Interesting reading here. As usual, we "remember" WWII differently depending on which country we come from. Soviets and Japanese rape, Americans "fraternized."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_during_the_occupation_of_Germany#U.S._troops

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Peter Payne JAN. 07, 2016 - 01:26PM JST Interesting reading here. As usual, we "remember" WWII differently depending on which country we come from. Soviets and Japanese rape, Americans "fraternized."

What percentage of comfort women actually survive WWII under the treatment of IJA in 1945? three out of four (3/4) did not survive the war. Can't same the same for war in Europe.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

"So where is it going to end?" asks erbaviva. Perhaps it will end when humanity is mature enough to take responsibility for the atrocities and injustices it has committed against other humans and other beings and seek to make amends, however ashamed it feels and no matter how grudging its victims to forgive. And in doing so will realise that it has nowhere to hide from the spotlight of truth and justice and so will never commit such horror in future. Perhaps. It's a lot to hope for but there is no merit in obfuscation, cover up, denial and refusal to take responsibility. It looks weak because it is the weak option. And counterproductive. And destructive of everything humans could stand for. This may be painful for Japan but, who knows, if only it could stay the course and do what is right, it could be the start of something wonderful in the world. It could show the other weak countries (looking at you, UK, and you, Turkey, and you, France, and you, America, and many others that fail to live up to their responsibilities as wreckers of lives) the way.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Had it been Japanese victims of rape by a foreign power there would be memorials all over a Japan .....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

erbaviva: "again rewarding a bad behaviour leads to more bad behaviour. "

True -- Japan was coddled for far too long after the war and given too much in agreement for cooperation, and often at the expense of neighbours. Their bad behaviour was rewarded, and then moreso with other nations tolerating their denial, and they therefore heaped on that MORE denial with the hopes that all the women would die and the issue be buried. Good on you for seeing that. Because I KNOW you surely weren't referring to the VICTIMS (ie. not Japan) as being the ones with 'bad behaviour' for demanding Japan admit what it had done.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

smithinjapan JAN. 07, 2016 - 01:46PM JST True -- Japan was coddled for far too long after the war and given too much in agreement for cooperation, and often at the expense of neighbours.

Coddled? If you didn't know, neighboring countries were totally destructed. it took many decades to rebuild. Look how long Europe took to rebuild.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Has anyone said otherwise?

Well it seems to me that's exactly what some are suggesting (see below comments taken from here)

Japan will need to pay for what it did, both literally & figuratively, for a long time to come.

and

Why can't this country just apologize, shut up, and compensate these women with no ulterior motives and demands?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

MoonrakerJAN. 07, 2016 - 01:30PM JST

Perhaps it will end when humanity is mature enough to take responsibility for the atrocities and injustices it has committed against other humans and other beings and seek to make amends, however ashamed it feels and no matter how grudging its victims to forgive.

This may be painful for Japan

Why? There were large numbers of rapes committed by Japanese troops in the Philippines during WW2. I, as a Japanese, do not feel ashamed at all in admitting that. No Japanese including PM Abe feels ashamed in admitting those facts.

And the legal responsibility was all settled by San Francisco Peace Treaty after the unconditional surrender.

What I cannot accept is the large number of untruth distributed by Koreans.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

The statute of limitations for reporting rape in Japan is ten years (plus an extra 6 months in some cases). So don't expect much 70 YEARS after the fact.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

sensei258JAN. 07, 2016 - 02:34PM JST The statute of limitations for reporting rape in Japan is ten years (plus an extra 6 months in some cases). So don't expect much 70 YEARS after the fact.

That's what your country saids. What did Abe and Japanese government do? Why don't you ask the South Korean government if your statement of "So don't expect much 70 years after the fact" have much truth to it when you can get additional $8 million U.S. dollars from japan government? It's negotiable.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Now everybody gets in the act. Why the hell was all of this not settled 70 years ago?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

WilliB JAN. 07, 2016 - 02:57PM JST Now everybody gets in the act. Why the hell was all of this not settled 70 years ago?

If you look at the history after end of WWII, Japan spent basically from 1950's through mid 1990s under the same conservative LDP government. There was no change in thought or attitude. At best, the Japanese government was able to buy off the Chinese and Koreans, providing loans and grants while those governments kept nationalistic sentiments tamped down. When the LDP hold was toppled in the 1990s, the coalition government was so weak that even though it began reconciliation with a formal apology, it couldn't make much progress before the LDP came back to power one year later. Japan needed a strong center-left party to lead the way. Unfortunately, Murayama and the Japanese Social Democrats were simply too weak. Japan's delay in the process has only made it more difficult for any real reconciliation. Had they done it back when Japan was at its peak, Chinese and Korean nationalism were somewhat under control and Japan had bought some goodwill through economic aid, they might have gotten their message across more smoothly. Instead, now you have Japan in a weak position, China and Korea ascendant, and both those nations experiencing near-rabid nationalistic sentiments, it'll be much harder for all involved to come together.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

How do you know these people are not backed by China?

Yeah, because China and the Philippines have such a great relationship nowadays...

3 ( +6 / -3 )

It may be painful, I said. Just like it is, say, for many Australians or Italians. Perhaps it is not painful for you. But it is not yet clear to me you speak for all Japanese, CH3CHO. I would like to add that it is not just about legal responsibility and how it is already dealt with. And the grudging victims are your responsibility too. If you are moral men, quick with the truth, quick to listen and quick to apologise, their grudges will die away in the roar of approval for your candour and indulgence.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Japan will have to establish a fund, and go lay flowers to a local statue memorial every time for every visit to Yasukuni to nullify Asia's pain and suffering since that shrine is only for Japanese. Asia's suffering must be recognized by Japan. Sound familiar? Japan will have to do that every year.

If Japan is not longer an Imperial military then there should be no problem here. As memorials and acknowledgements show that Japan also suffered under Imperial history.

For Japan to defend its Imperial past is to defend its actions, and that can no longer be tolerated

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Yeah, because China and the Philippines have such a great relationship nowadays...

Japan and China are not in good relation but there are many Japanese and non-Japanese in Japan who are working for China's interest such as Okinawa's independence.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

I'm not surprised this is happening now. We'll probably hear about similar cases from all over the former Eastern Theatre... although I bet you won't hear about Japanese and other Asian women demanding compensation about being raped by US and Commonwealth troops. It happened, but you won't hear about it. I mean how many cases were brought by Vietnamese women against the Americans during that sordid little adventure.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Sfjp330: "Coddled? If you didn't know, neighboring countries were totally destructed. it took many decades to rebuild. Look how long Europe took to rebuild."

Neighboring countries?? Areas of Japan were destroyed, yes, but if you think they weren't coddled once the war ended, let me ask you this, why did Japan surrender to the US and not Russia?

Astroboy: "I want money too."

You were kidnapped, forced into prostition, an continually raped by the IJA? Because these women were. Ah, how you guys further Japan's shame!

tinawatanabe: "Japan and China are not in good relation but there are many Japanese and non-Japanese who are working for China's interest such as Okinawa's independence."

So, no only are you off-topic and shameless by suggesting these women are part of abChinese conspiracy, but now you're bringing in Okinawa as well?

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Hansaram: they still think that. Just look at the comments by tinawatanabe as a prime example. She literally said they are probably backed by China, and others are blaming South Korea for Taiwan and now the Philippines for speaking out.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

WilliBJAN. 07, 2016 - 02:57PM JST

Now everybody gets in the act. Why the hell was all of this not settled 70 years ago?

All of It was settled by the following treaties and agreements.

San Francisco Peace Treaty, 1951

Peace Treaty between Japan and Republic of China, 1952

Joint Statement of Soviet and Japan, 1956

Korea Japan Basic Treaty 1965

Joint Communique of People's Republic of China and Japan, 1972

Actually, rape victims from the Philippines along with former ianfu from Korea brought the case to the US court.

Hwang et al v Japan, US Supreme Court http://www.givemeliberty.org/RTPLawsuit/Documents/413_F_3d_45-GuemJoo.pdf

(page1) We again review the district court's dismissal of the appellants' complaint alleging Japanese soldiers "routinely raped, tortured ... [and] mutilated" them, along with thousands of other women, in occupied countries before and during World War II.

(page4) First, the Republic of the Philippines, as an Allied Power, was a signatory to the 1951 Treaty itself and thus at least purported to waive the claims of its nationals. 136 U.N.T.S. at 137, ratified 260 U.N.T.S. 450.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Hansaram: they still think that. Just look at the comments by tinawatanabe as a prime example. She literally said they are probably backed by China, and others are blaming South Korea for Taiwan and now the Philippines for speaking out.

You have to admit the timing is a bit sus... more than a coincidence methinks.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

So much grievances. Asian people's sufferings were not just taken seriously.

In order to have peaceful stable relationship in Asia, Japan and we "the international community", we need to look into Japan's past crimes (WWII)..

0 ( +4 / -4 )

RamwagJAN. 07, 2016 - 08:07PM JST

we need to look into Japan's past crimes (WWII)..

That was what the Allies did 70 years ago. War criminals were tried. Everyone knew Japanese Troops raped a large number of Filipino women. After the war, Peace Treaty was concluded and ratified, mutually waiving compensation claims.

If you want to start a criminal trial against someone, fine as long as due process of law is observed. But compensation claims has been all settled by the peace treaties. That is what a peace treaty is for.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

I'm rather jealous of sensei258. He got more downvotes than I did, even though I posted first. Oh well, I will have to take solace in knowing that I got more than twice as many downvotes as smithinjapan got in upvotes. That's certainly a sign I'm on the right track!

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

1) Japan apologized already for the war abuses, which are inclusive of several forms of violence (see 5).

2) Japan cannot give money to every woman now claiming having having been raped 70 years ago. It's just ridiculous – same as the idea to institute special trials for every new case that might arise.

3) War compensations are negotiated between states because a state cannot compensate single individuals. So money are given to recipient states which than proceed with redistribution.

4) Random rapes by soldiers is not the same as the establishment of a forced prostitution system.

5) Civilian abuses happens during every war and that's why compensations exist. How's rape different from murder, torture etc? Why should it require a special status and special compensations? What if tomorrow a guy without a leg asks for compensations because his case wasn't explicitly mentioned in the peace treaty?

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

. Do you know the extent of their cruelty? Pregnant women had their foetuses surgically removed by the IJA before they were used as sex slaves.

@sighclops. No, I didn't know. That's crazy. Beyond cruel.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

"elderly Filipino women raped by Japanese troops during World War II"

They ( the Japanese troops ) must not have been raised right by their parents.

"Pregnant women had their foetuses surgically removed by the IJA before they were used as sex slaves."

They ( the Japanese troops) must not have been raised right by their parents.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Too bad this is nothing more than a gold rush now. They heard SK came through with it and now they want in on the money without understanding jack. This is just like other countries demanding compensation from Germany for its war crimes almost a decade after it happened. It just doesn't work like that.

Rape, murder, torture etc. happens in every war... so how does it entitle them to any compensation before anyone else who went through similar things? If anyone could enlighten me, be my guest.

As it stands, these women are out of touch with reality.

This is downright disrespectful to EVERY other victim.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

German,Japanese and American armies were very strict and forbade their soldiers to engage in such activities with foreigners...although some isolated cases might have happened...there are lots of information about that on the internet...

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

You have to admit the timing is a bit sus... more than a coincidence methinks.

It's not suspect at all. It's quite a reasonable expectation. These women have been protesting for years, and they hardly get any media attention, except for the ones in Korea. But now since Japan is willing to pay, then it'd make sense to make their voices heard even louder. And let's all remember, these were sexual slaves. Many people seem to have no decency by forgetting that very fact.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

How are they going to prove they were raped 70 years afterward. Are we just supposed to take their word for it? The evidence and perpetrators (if there were any) would be long gone.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

sensei258: "How are they going to prove they were raped 70 years afterward. Are we just supposed to take their word for it? The evidence and perpetrators (if there were any) would be long gone"

Ah, so instead we should listen to Japanese politicians who were never there. Nice logic.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Make a procedure for the ladies to follow and allow them to file claims. If the claims are valid pay them! Do this for all of the other countries. Stop the pain and bad feelings by doing the right thing. Imperial Japan does not have a moral or legal leg to stand upon. I think it will be a good thing to do.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Good luck to them

2 ( +3 / -1 )

You have to admit the timing is a bit sus... more than a coincidence methinks.

Actually, Philippines been demanding compensation way back then.

WW II 'comfort women' push fight for justice, compensation

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/08/14/WW-II-comfort-women-push-fight-for-justice-compensation.html

4 ( +6 / -2 )

LOL. It's is pathetic and somewhat hilarious that posters in 2016 think it's somehow appropriate to whine about having to deal with victims who were RAPED by Japanese soldiers. That's what happens when you you rape, murder, steal and the like. How about apply a smidgen of honor, decency, honesty and just own up to your crimes. You are talking about pennies in comparison to rest of Japan's budget. Apologizing and acting honorably to all these poor women and victims will do about 100 times more good for Japan's image than all the stupid and cheesy PR campaigns.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Guess what folks, Japan raped alot of women and children during the war. If Japan raped me, I'd sure as hell be demanding money as well as a sincere apology.

It is physically impossible for a country to rape anything. Rape is committed by one individual against another.

What these women are describing are crimes committed by individuals without the sanction of the Japanese government. That is completely different than the comfort women issue, where Japan acknowledges that the government was running the program.

These women's compensation should have come from the perpetrators, not the country the perpetrators came from.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

It is physically impossible for a country to rape anything. Rape is committed by one individual against another.

What about mass rape (and murder)? Many cases of that happening in Asia by Imperial Japanese soldiers.

What these women are describing are crimes committed by individuals without the sanction of the Japanese government.

That's what Japan tells the world actually. That there was no state involvement (or any crimes at all). But do you believe that?

That is completely different than the comfort women issue, where Japan acknowledges that the government was running the program.

This statement sort of contradicts your first quote. And by the way, it's quite naive to think that the "comfort women" system only targeted Korean women and girls. It happened across Japan-occupied Asia.

These women's compensation should have come from the perpetrators, not the country the perpetrators came from.

Assuming it's not the country's fault (it is), yet even that, the perpetrators didn't pay a single cent. Why? Because the perpetrators' crimes get whitewashed in history, and get honored in the Yasukuni Shrine instead. That's why.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

MoonrakerJAN. 07, 2016 - 03:19PM JST

"...CH3CHO. I would like to add that it is not just about legal responsibility and... the grudging victims are your responsibility too. If you are moral men, quick with the truth, quick to listen and quick to apologise, their grudges will die away in the roar of approval for your candour and indulgence."

Ah well, that's the problem, isn't it? These are not "moral men". They are "face-saving men".

1 ( +3 / -2 )

What about mass rape (and murder)? Many cases of that happening in Asia by Imperial Japanese soldiers.

What about it? You're saying the Emperor issued an edict ordering the troops to rape and murder civilians? If not, you can't blame a government for the actions of individuals.

That's what Japan tells the world actually. That there was no state involvement (or any crimes at all). But do you believe that?

Without any evidence to the contrary, of course I believe it. You obviously have no such evidence either, so the question arises as to how you are so certain without a shred of evidence?

This statement sort of contradicts your first quote. And by the way, it's quite naive to think that the "comfort women" system only targeted Korean women and girls. It happened across Japan-occupied Asia.

My first quote? "It is physically impossible for a country to rape anything"? Japan and the IJA were running the comfort women program which sent women to China. These Filipino women are not claiming they were part of the comfort woman program, and instead are claiming that they were abducted and raped in a house in the Philippines. The country of Japan did not rape these Filipino women, individual soldiers did.

Assuming it's not the country's fault (it is), yet even that, the perpetrators didn't pay a single cent. Why? Because the perpetrators' crimes get whitewashed in history, and get honored in the Yasukuni Shrine instead. That's why.

Again, unless you know of some Imperial Edict or order from the war ministry telling Japanese troops to commit rape, you can't blame a country for individual troop's actions. The Yasukuni Shrine honors all those who gave their lives in the service of the Emperor. You don't know that these perps are enshrined or not because you don't know if they died in the war or not.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

M3M3M3Jan. 07, 2016 - 07:42AM JST Guess what folks, Japan raped alot of women and children during the war. If Japan raped me, I'd sure as hell be >demanding money as well as a sincere apology.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/08/03/american-soldiers-brutally-raped-japanese-women-during-world-war-ii/

http://rense.com/general19/redarmy.htm

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites