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Japan rejects U.N. committee's call on 'comfort women'

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Yeah time to give up on it, instead of banging on and on about something these guys grandfathers did, let sleeping dogs lie.

Japan has apologised and paid compensation, because some don't accept it doesn't mean you have the right to keep pressing it.

Move forward and get on with today instead of living in the past.

There have been many misdeeds committed in this world over time but not everyone dwells on them for ever and a day, most intelligent people know to move on with things.

-6 ( +26 / -29 )

Good for Japan not capitulating to a corrupt farce of an organization like the U.N.

Enough is enough with the anti Japan propaganda accusing Japan of "neeeever" apologizing or compensating (or making an attempt to) comfort women.

-18 ( +21 / -37 )

StormR

Yeah time to give up on it, instead of banging on and on about something these guys grandfathers did, let sleeping dogs lie.

oldman_

Good for Japan not capitulating to a corrupt farce of an organization like the U.

INDEED - absolutely right on !!!!!!................"Japan’s foreign ministry said the U.N. committee was expected to adhere to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which Tokyo ratified in 1979" .................................... A few years back the UN also re-drew the map of the Middle East without Israel. . . . .The UN has become a gong show for special interest groups . . I read a commentary suggesting that the Secretary General, Moon, being Korean ,had a hand in influencing this hollow resolution . .

-7 ( +19 / -24 )

How sad. Japan is turning away from the international community and turning inward because of it's conservative right wing leadership. A missed opportunity for Japan to stand up and be counted as a responsible, compassionate member of the international community, remorseful for it's past actions like most other developed nations.

2 ( +25 / -25 )

A missed opportunity for Japan to stand up and be counted as a responsible, compassionate member of the international community, remorseful for it's past actions like most other developed nations.

Typical Korea's extortionist rhetoric

-10 ( +20 / -29 )

Japan has apologised and paid compensation

Japan has not apologized - Kono did, but the government has not. And compensation was paid - but not to those who were wronged.

So looking at it from the perspective of the women who were raped, they have not been apologized to by the Japanese government, nor have they received reparations from the Japanese government. And you want them to just leave it? Yeah, right.

4 ( +23 / -20 )

Your grandfather ever do anything wrong Strangerland? If so then step up so we can punish you for his misdeeds.............................................just would never stop would it.

-6 ( +13 / -19 )

Your grandfather ever do anything wrong Strangerland?

What does my grandfather have to do with anything? He was an individual. We are speaking of a government. Apples to oranges.

4 ( +20 / -16 )

StormR

Your grandfather ever do anything wrong Strangerland? If so then step up so we can punish you for his misdeeds.............................................just would never stop would it

.BEAUTIFULLY artiiculated! . . .

-4 ( +14 / -17 )

This is one reason of China never raise the disputes islets to ICJ. It is usless--- Japan only compliant to which is benefit to Japan.

-3 ( +8 / -10 )

The point in all of this - and it's been reiterated time and time and time again - is that the apology(ies) esp the Kono statement has been essentially spat on, by intent or indifference, by many leading Japanese politicians & prominent members of society.

If the lard heads had kept their nuanced thoughts to themselves, much of this houbrah would have never blown.

Abe's opinion is in writing and has never been personally retracted - so he & these buffooons have burnt the goodwill created by those with nouse.

What is an apology, if not only the heart is not there, but it keeps being overturned.

11 ( +20 / -10 )

The point in all of this - and it's been reiterated time and time and time again - is that the apology(ies) esp the Kono statement has been essentially spat on, by intent or indifference, by many leading Japanese politicians & prominent members of society.

On top of this, the cabinet has never formally ratified an apology, and nor has an acting prime minister ever apologized.

6 ( +16 / -11 )

The fact is the Imperial Japanese Army had a system of organised rape, and wantonly raped outside of this system. Unfortunately the current politicians seem to be so proud of this they actually make the argument that these girls were lucky and were well paid and thankful to be continually raped by these strapping soldiers.

8 ( +19 / -14 )

It is baffling that half of you think this is all because of abe, korea and china been rattling on about this BS for decades, way before abe came to power or the idiot Tokyo governor suggested buying the islands, korea and china been going on n on n on n on for years and will never stop.

If after all this time these two kept goin on at me I too would fell like retracting any apology ever made.

There comes a point in time when must finally wake up and realise tomorrow is a NEW day and walk away from the past that serves no purpose other than to make noise for the hell of it.

and strangerland the whole point of bringing your grandfather into it is because korea and china wanting to punish this generation for what their grandfathers did, So just trying to show you how ridiculous that is.

-8 ( +14 / -20 )

Strangerland

On top of this, the cabinet has never formally ratified an apology, and nor has an acting prime minister ever apologized.

Mori did for one so that wrecks the hell out of your argument.

-8 ( +9 / -16 )

My hope is that Japan will develop into a more compassionate and responsible, mature member of the International community

Which means for Korea "Japan should listen to and behave as Korean government says"

No thank you.

-6 ( +10 / -15 )

@strangerland

On top of this, the cabinet has never formally ratified an apology, and nor has an acting prime minister ever apologized.

Dear Madam,

On the occasion that the Asian Women's Fund, in cooperation with the Government and the people of Japan, offers atonement from the Japanese people to the former wartime comfort women, I wish to express my feelings as well.

The issue of comfort women, with an involvement of the Japanese military authorities at that time, was a grave affront to the honor and dignity of large numbers of women.

As Prime Minister of Japan, I thus extend anew my most sincere apologies and remorse to all the women who underwent immeasurable and painful experiences and suffered incurable physical and psychological wounds as comfort women.

We must not evade the weight of the past, nor should we evade our responsibilities for the future.

I believe that our country, painfully aware of its moral responsibilities, with feelings of apology and remorse, should face up squarely to its past history and accurately convey it to future generations.

Furthermore, Japan also should take an active part in dealing with violence and other forms of injustice to the honor and dignity of women.

Finally, I pray from the bottom of my heart that each of you will find peace for the rest of your lives.

Respectfully yours,

Junichiro Koizumi Prime Minister of Japan

9 ( +14 / -6 )

they should listen to the international community

No, this committee did an illegal thing. UN is not supposed to work for one interest group or country. If Korea is confident it can take this to Int'l court, which is difficult to lobby through.

-1 ( +9 / -11 )

strangerland the whole point of bringing your grandfather into it is because korea and china wanting to punish this generation for what their grandfathers did

And the Japanese are trying to whitewash the history of what their grandfathers did. You also forget that some of these comfort women are still alive - and they deserve a proper apology and compensation for what was done to them. They've had to live their whole lives with the memory of these horrors.

Mori did for one so that wrecks the hell out of your argument.

Link please.

On top of this, the cabinet has never formally ratified an apology, and nor has an acting prime minister ever apologized.

Dear Madam,

On the occasion that the Asian Women's Fund, in cooperation with the Government and the people of Japan, offers atonement from the Japanese people to the former wartime comfort women, I wish to express my feelings as well.

...

I stand partially corrected. Apparently a standing prime minister has apologized. But the other half of my statement still stands - the cabinet has never voted to make an official apology on behalf of the nation.

-5 ( +7 / -13 )

So you acknowledge a standing prime minister has apologised but say the Japanese are trying to white wash what happened, Having a prime minister apologise is hardly white washing it he stood in front of the world, compensation was offered and in most cases paid there are a few old stalwarts who are holding out for more, they get provoked every now and again by activists and the Korean guy who heads the UN to make japan look bad,

The whole thing is BS and people who do not know the reality or the truth or refuse to keep banging on n on and that is my point.

So a standing prime minister has apologised that would be the Japanese govt would it not ?

0 ( +10 / -11 )

So you acknowledge a standing prime minister has apologised but say the Japanese are trying to white wash what happened

Yes. You do realize that the first doesn't preclude the second right? I'm giving the benefit of the doubt that you are able to understand that degree of logic.

compensation was offered and in most cases paid there are a few old stalwarts who are holding out for more

Compensation was offered by private citizens (good on them) and not the government. The government has never directly offered compensation to the rape victims of their military. So how could they hold out for more - they haven't received anything.

The whole thing is BS and people who do not know the reality or the truth

The reality and truth is that these women were raped by the Japanese military, and have never received an official apology nor compensation from the government of Japan.

So a standing prime minister has apologised that would be the Japanese govt would it not ?

No, because it has never been voted on and ratified by the cabinet. It was a single politician's opinion. Good on him for it, but it's not an apology from the government, it's an apology from a single representative of the government, without that government's backing.

-3 ( +5 / -9 )

Strangerland:

I stand partially corrected. Apparently a standing prime minister has apologized. But the other half of my statement still stands - the cabinet has never voted to make an official apology on behalf of the nation.

The Asian women's fund was proposed by the cabinet, and overseen by the cabinet throughout its existence. If there was no cabinet support, it certainly wouldn't have received budget funds - which it did, starting in FY 95.

Every PM from 95 to the dissolution of the fund penned letters similar to the one I posted, by the way.

If you want more info on the government stance the Ministry of Foreign Affairs still maintains an archive on their website.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Ya just cant please some can ya.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Japan you just handed put more hammers on silver platters, prepare to ............well by now you should know the drill!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

As Prime Minister of Japan, I thus extend anew my most sincere apologies and remorse to all the women who underwent immeasurable and painful experiences and suffered incurable physical and psychological wounds as comfort women.

As representative of Japan who heads the party voted in by its people, I think that is the Govt.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

"But a tranche of the political right, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, continue to cast doubt, claiming the brothels were staffed by professional prostitutes."

And that is why Japan will constantly, and rightfully, be hounded on this issue and why NO ONE has the right to say "we should forget it and move on".

StormR: "Ya just cant please some can ya."

Not when the victims are having their faces spit on by people who deny it ever happened and were never there (and who's grandfathers were war criminals to boot!).

As for the "We're not obligated to..." line, I hope Japan remembers that one next time they demand someone go to the ICJ or ask the UN to demand a nation to do this or that.

2 ( +13 / -10 )

"Tokyo issued a landmark apology in 1993—called the Kono Statement after then top government spokesman Yohei Kono who announced it.

The statement acknowledged the military’s involvement in the coercive brothel system but did not admit the government’s complicity in it.

But a tranche of the political right, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, continue to cast doubt, claiming the brothels were staffed by professional prostitutes."

Incredible. Japanese companies could sell so much more stuff to Koreans if only Abe would get with the program, admit this stuff and apologize.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

the cabinet has never voted to make an official apology on behalf of the nation.

The Asian women's fund was proposed by the cabinet, and overseen by the cabinet throughout its existence. If there was no cabinet support, it certainly wouldn't have received budget funds - which it did, starting in FY 95.

What does that have to do with an official apology? And what is an official apology? Let's see:

A definitive, official government statement must fit one of four conditions:

1) a bill passed by the Diet. The Prime Minister, representing the Cabinet, submits a bill to the Diet (art 72), which becomes a law upon passage by both Lower and Upper Houses (art 59) and the signature of the competent Minister of State and the countersignature by the Prime Minister (art 49); 2) a statement by a cabinet minister in a full session of the Diet; 3) a statement by a prime minister in an official communiqué while on an overseas visit; 4) a statement ratified by the Cabinet, known as a cabinet decision, kakugi kettei.

In reality none of the first three examples of official statements are possible without a cabinet decision. A cabinet decision is the definitive expression of official government policy in Japan.

Thus far, in regard to the Comfort Women, none of these conditions have been met.

Link: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CC4QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jiaponline.org%2Fdocuments%2FWhatConstitutesApology.doc&ei=tI3TU_u-DIywuAT0x4KIBg&usg=AFQjCNEI_uahqO4P9Ni0v1_mSmWttCy-Jg

As representative of Japan who heads the party voted in by its people, I think that is the Govt.

You do know that at the same time that Koizumi was issuing his apology, 47 cabinet members were visiting Yasukuni right? So no, it's not the government. It was one government official saying one thing, while the rest was doing something else. And see my above link for what constitutes an official apology by Japanese law.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Hang on a second everyone. I think that this article has highlighted two important issues:

The Japanese Government today is not the same as the Imperial Japanese Government of WW2

This may seem like a small issue, but it is an important one. What the UN is asking Japan to do is for the government of today to accept responsibility for actions undertaken under a different constitution by a different government. The date didn't just change after WW2 for Japan, the entire political, social and legal system changed.

This is probably why the past apology didn't take responsibility on part of the Japanese government. The government that committed those crimes is dead and gone.

Compensation was paid by private citizens

Some Koreans chose not to accept it because it didn't come from the Japanese government, but the Imperial Japanese government is gone. These people are asking for the impossible.

... however if Abe has his way we may soon have a return of the Imperial Japanese Government, Mk II... in which case bring it up again.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

The Japanese Government today is not the same as the Imperial Japanese Government of WW2

This may seem like a small issue, but it is an important one. What the UN is asking Japan to do is for the government of today to accept responsibility for actions undertaken under a different constitution by a different government. The date didn't just change after WW2 for Japan, the entire political, social and legal system changed.

It's still the official government of the country of Japan. They don't suddenly get to drop responsibility just because the members change.

Some Koreans chose not to accept it because it didn't come from the Japanese government, but the Imperial Japanese government is gone. These people are asking for the impossible.

No they aren't. They are asking for the government of Japan to compensate them for the wrongs that happened to them. The government of Japan can do this. So it's not impossible.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

When it's about cleaning up their mess, apologising and moving on, the current Japanese government chooses to ignore the UN.

But when it's about the Senkaku islands, and the "nasty bullying Chinese," Japan soon bleats, "Help, help!" to the UN.

-2 ( +9 / -10 )

UN is a Big joke. As for history. my grandfather (he's 90 years old) He was in Korea back in WW2. He told me about those women. He said that he had to pay a cash to the brothels if he wanted a women. But that cash was given back to him by his captain

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Whatever your position on comfort women, Japan is darned if it does, darned if it doesn't. Of course, if it refuses, then Korea gains freebie points. However, despite the naivety of some people on this board, agreeing means opening a whole can of worms and giving Koreans almost unlimited free shots.

Compensation was settled in 1965. While modern Koreans try to nitpick and find loopholes around this, it is almost certain when both sides signed that treaty, they meant it as such. Let's leave it at that.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

"Japan on Friday rejected a call by a U.N. watchdog to accept full blame for pressing Asian women into wartime sexual slavery in military brothels, saying it was not obligated to do so."

What a shame! Abe’s admin just squandered a golden redemption opportunity to wipe the slate clean.

Based on J-govt’s haughty and remorseless attitude, there is no chance for Japan to become German equivalent in terms of playing an important role in the international affair.

Now Japan is back to the square one, which plays right into the media’s hands.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

European countries did the same thing during their 400 year rampage around the world, called Imperialism. When will China and Korea press them to make an apology? Very double standard. (And yes, I know Korea had not been conquered by European countries directly).

0 ( +8 / -8 )

agreeing means opening a whole can of worms and giving Koreans almost unlimited free shots.

But unless they compensate/apologize, then the Japanese cannot take the high-road. If they compensate/apologize, then they can take the high road.

Compensation was settled in 1965.

Except that it wasn't, or these current issues wouldn't exist.

European countries did the same thing during their 400 year rampage around the world, called Imperialism.

And now we're back to the 'well they did it too' argument - which as always doesn't justify anything.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

In 2005, South Korea disclosed diplomatic documents that detailed the proceedings of the treaty. Kept secret in South Korea 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 the reign of Japan. 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. It was also revealed that the South Korean government assumed the responsibility for compensating individuals on a lump sum basis] while rejecting Japan's proposal for direct compensation.

However, the South Korean government used most of the loans for economic development and have failed to provide adequate compensation to victims, paying only 300,000 won per death, with only a total of 2,570 million won to the relatives of 8,552 victims who died in forced labor. As the result, the Korean victims were preparing to file a compensation suit against the South Korean government as of 2005. The treaty does not preclude individual suits against Japanese individuals or corporations but such suits are often constrained by the statute of limitation. Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery, a mock trial organised by and supported by Japanese NGO Violence Against Women in War Network Japan, issued a ruling that "states cannot agree by treaty to waive the liability of another state for crimes against humanity""

-1 ( +6 / -8 )

gokai_wo_manekuJUL. 26, 2014 - 09:06PM JST European countries did the same thing during their 400 year rampage around the world, called Imperialism. When will China and Korea press them to make an apology? Very double standard. (And yes, I know Korea had not been conquered by European countries directly).

Why is it so difficult to understand that just because someone else does something somewhere else doesn't make you any less guilty. We learn that as children doesn't we?

And why is it also so difficult to understand that this is not about every evil done to other people throughout history; it's about acknowledging and compensating the here and now LIVING victims of crimes committed by the Japanese government and military.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

I support Mr. Suga. He is one of the best Chief Cabinet Secretaries we had ever. He is keeping a cool head in comments against this kind of unfair approaches including those from China or Korea.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

by the way Japan do not care about UN, i still remember when last time the Japanese authority throw away the papers of the UN recognized refugees and put them in Jail and then sent them back home.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I find it hard to comprehend how the "comfort children" could be considered "professional prostitutes" - except for those with an extremely sick mind...

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Apology by Japanese Govt. Why Suga went to JSDF Library after he yelled to a lawmaker he has a proof comfort woman existed in heating argument. Notice GIRL is mentioned. (not Woman) Also mentioned is sex slave.

Three Korean women filed suit in Japan in December, 1991, around the time of the 50th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, demanding compensation for forced prostitution. In 1992, documents which had been stored since 1958 when they were returned by United States troops and which indicated that the military had played a large role in operating what were euphemistically called "comfort stations" were found in the library of Japan's Self-Defense Agency. The Japanese Government admitted that the Japanese Army had forced tens of thousands of Korean women to have sex with Japanese soldiers during World War II. On January 14, 1992, Japanese Chief Government Spokesman Koichi Kato issued an official apology saying, "We cannot deny that the former Japanese army played a role" in abducting and detaining the "comfort girls," and "We would like to express our apologies and contrition". Three days later on January 17, 1992 at a dinner given by South Korean President Roh Tae Woo, the Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa told his host: "We Japanese should first and foremost recall the truth of that tragic period when Japanese actions inflicted suffering and sorrow upon your people. We should never forget our feelings of remorse over this. As Prime Minister of Japan, I would like to declare anew my remorse at these deeds and tender my apology to the people of the Republic of Korea." He apologized again the following day in a speech before South Korea's National Assembly On April 28, 1998, the Japanese court ruled that the Government must compensate the women and awarded them US$2,300 ($3,328 in 2014) each.

In 2007, the surviving sex slaves wanted an apology from the Japanese government. Shinzō Abe, the prime minister at the time, stated on March 1, 2007, that there was no evidence that the Japanese government had kept sex slaves, even though the Japanese government had already admitted the use of coercion in 1993. On March 27 the Japanese parliament issued an official apology. On February 20, 2014, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that the Japanese government may reconsider the study and the apology. However, Prime Minister Abe clarified on March 14, 2014 that he had no intention of renouncing or altering it.

0 ( +5 / -6 )

Japan on Friday rejected a call by a U.N. watchdog to accept full blame for pressing Asian women into wartime sexual slavery in military brothels, saying it was not obligated to do so.

But a tranche of the political right, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, continue to cast doubt, claiming the brothels were staffed by professional prostitutes.

Japan recently held a review of the issue which upheld the apology but asserted there was no evidence to corroborate the women’s testimony on sex slavery, sparking regional anger.

IMHO these statements sum up exactly why Japan will never be a great society or one widely respected on the world stage. Ecomonic power, yes. Moral leader, hell no. Because to Japan, moral leadership is something you do only if "obligated to do so" and, worse, it is perfectly acceptable for the PM to disparage the accounts of victims of the country's atrocities. So glad I am no longer there.

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

"The reality and truth is that these women were raped by the Japanese military, and have never received an official apology nor compensation from the government of Japan."

Then hold the individual Japanese soldiers responsible. Make the soldiers still alive responsible for their "rapes" apologize then. Why does the government of Japan, which represents every Japanese citizen, owe them anything after over 70 years? Why weren't these "victims" voicing their pain back 70, 60, even 50 years ago. They were not the only victims in WWII, so why do they deserve special consideration. Sorry, Japan today owes them NOTHING.

They got apologies and money already, it isn't Japan's fault the Korean government squandered it.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

@jerseyboy: I wonder which country can be a "moral leader". And don't speak about Germany, thanks. Nobody sees Germany as a moral leader in Europe, specially in South Europe. The US? Loooooool.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Then hold the individual Japanese soldiers responsible. Make the soldiers still alive responsible for their "rapes" apologize then. Why does the government of Japan, which represents every Japanese citizen, owe them anything after over 70 years?

Because it was institutionalized rape of child sex-slaves. If it were only individual soldiers it would be one thing, but they institutionalized it, and therefore it is government responsibility to atone for it.

They got apologies and money already

They have received neither official apology nor money.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

After sifting through 30 odd posts I did not find one comment that was true to the issue. A lot if ranting and pointing fingers, but nothing that directly addresses this issue. The point is, Japan DID enslave many thousands of women in many different countries to fill brothels for soldiers. Japan did make an apology and pay 'some' compensation to Korean and Philippine victims. However, these brothels were also present in Singapore, Taiwan and Indonesia. The main problem comes from the recent rhetoric being spouted by Japanese politicians, that are totally contradictory of each other. There are statements saying it never happened. There are other statements saying the women volunteered. There are other statements that justify it by stating that other countries did it too. There are other statements saying anything is acceptable during war (which Japan started). This is where Japan has failed. All they have to do is man-up, admit their wrong doings and move on. The more they downplay, justify and deny this issue the more crap they are gonna get for it. The UN is partially right, but their platform is wrong. They should be pushing for Japan to stop the BS and let all of Asia get over it.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

@jerseyboy: these statements sum up exactly why Japan will never be a great society or one widely respected on the world stage. Ecomonic power, yes. Moral leader, hell no. Because to Japan, moral leadership is something you do only if "obligated to do so" and, worse, it is perfectly acceptable for the PM to disparage the accounts of victims of the country's atrocities.

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I did not know Japan ever wanted to be such a society you mentioned. Do you have any historical info?

-3 ( +4 / -8 )

Because it was institutionalized rape of child sex-slaves.

Where is the evidence for such?

When a lie is told, another lie is always required to cover it up. Taking children to the war zone is totally unlikely strategically, because they act as a heavy drag.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Brothels set up by the military with 14 year olds. Kids that age are not old enough to consent, therefore it is rape, no matter which way you want to try to justify it. And since they were being raped, they were child sex slaves.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

@Disillusioned: After sifting through 30 odd posts I did not find one comment that was true to the issue. A lot if ranting and pointing fingers, but nothing that directly addresses this issue.

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Sounds you did not read any of comments. They are writing their opinions. They are not lieing. I did not lie, either when I copied and pasted info.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The UN against their own rules, let the US attack against Iraq. This is a big crime against humanity for which the US will never pay and will never apologize, even though they lied about weapons of mass destruction in that country in front of the whole world. Currently, in Gaza thousonds of people are dying, Ukraina is a mess. The UN is only making the interest of its main members and do nothing for peace there, because they don't care about peace. China and S. Korea playing the role of the eternal victim about something happened 70 years ago is more important than the current horrors that are happening with the complicity of western governments in other parts of the world. Japan is an easy target, China, S.Korea, the US, EU, have a huge interest in destroying its soft power and reputation, so they are supporting all this anti-Japanese propaganda about something that was already solved someway tons of years ago. All the European imperial powers (and the US as well) would deserve the same treatment that only Japan is receiving, if you want to be honest, because tons of wounds are still open and the victims were never properly compensated. But it's not happening. When the Greeks recently asked war compensation to Germany that never compensated them properly, while it is contribuing to destroy their economy by austerity, Germany rejected, like they always did, but the UN isn't asking to Germany to take its FULL RESPONSABILITY for its past atrocities towards the Greeks. Everyone with a bit of brain can see the double standard used by the UN. All this Japan bashing shows only one thing: humanity will never learn from history. If you stress a country this way, specially after it was hit by a huge catastrophe (Fukushima) and it's in a very vulnerable condition, that country will feel itself under attack, and nationalism will become always stronger. The truth is that everyone wants Japan become always more nationalist, so they can blame it. Superpowers know how the things work, actually it's not like they never learned from history, as I said earlier; they learned, and they are able to manipulate the things according to old strategies to get the results they want. Japanese tensions with China are very good news for American and German car manufacturers. Shame on the international community that is trying to take advantage of Japan weakness after Fukushima to undermine its already weak economy. This just because Japan is still an annoying competitor, being the third economic power. You can see the double standard also about whaling. Whaling in Norway is a huge business, but there's not a massive anti-Norway propaganda about whaling. Everyone considers Norway a model country.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

The UN against their own rules, let the US attack against Iraq.

Only if you consider not actively stopping them as letting them. There was never UN backing for the invasion of Iraq, in fact the UN was about to vote against invasion, when the Americans decided to unilaterally invade.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Only if you consider not actively stopping them as letting them. There was never UN backing for the invasion of Iraq, in fact the UN was about to vote against invasion, when the Americans decided to unilaterally invade.

You are saying what I said. The Americans decided unilaterally Iraq invasions, if the UN were a serious organization the US should pay for this HUGE HUMAN CRIME, but the UN did nothing.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

DisillusionedJul. 26, 2014 - 10:52PM JST However, these brothels were also present in Singapore, Taiwan and Indonesia.

Asian Women Fund Indonesia

http://www.awf.or.jp/e1/indonesia.html

Asian Women Fund Taiwan

http://www.awf.or.jp/e3/taiwan-01.html

Can you provide some non bias links about the brothels run by Japan in Singapore? All I have found were that prostitution and brothels were already well established before the Japanese military took Singapore.

DisillusionedJul. 26, 2014 - 10:52PM JST The main problem comes from the recent rhetoric being spouted by Japanese politicians, that are totally contradictory of each other. There are statements saying it never happened. There are other statements saying the women volunteered.

Can you point out which politicians said that?

DisillusionedJul. 26, 2014 - 10:52PM JST The point is, Japan DID enslave many thousands of women in many different countries to fill brothels for soldiers.

Do you have proof to back up your claim or is this statement based on your opinion?

Next question, did the Japanese run the UN brothels in Vietnam and Korea?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Japan will never be a great society or one widely respected on the world stage.

And your country will? As long as you people are acting like this, less and less Japanese people will travel to and invest in your country, and PM Abe will only be more popular.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

if the UN were a serious organization the US should pay for this HUGE HUMAN CRIME, but the UN did nothing.

The problem here is that there isn't a world government, and there isn't world law. The UN is a forum for countries of the world to get together and discuss, sometimes agreeing to do things together in unison.

I agree that the US should be condemned for the invasion of Iraq, but I'm not sure that the UN has ever been in the position to be able to do that. That doesn't make them ineffective as an organization, it just means that this is out of the realm of what they can do.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

That doesn't make them ineffective as an organization, it just means that this is out of the realm of what they can do

This only means they will never do anything against their most influencial members. And you call this organization "serious"?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

This only means they will never do anything against their most influencial members.

How do you expect them to do something that is out of the realm of what they are able to do?

And you call this organization "serious"?

Yes.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

@Strangerland: You are admitting that the US should be punished for their criminal war in Iraq, and admitting that the UN can't do it because the US are...well, the US, the biggest superpower in the world. And do you call the UN "serious"? It's a joke! It's like they are a bunch of bullies.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Japan will never be a great society or one widely respected on the world stage

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

So what? Japan was never interested to be respected on the world stage in its history. It even shut down from world in feudal era.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

let the boycott begin

Yes, let's.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Good news. If Japan accepted it, it would be the third payment.

With the recent review results of the Kono statement displayed to the Japanese pubic, it's no wonder that the Japanese government rejected it and rightfully so.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

So what? Japan was never interested to be respected on the world stage in its history. It even shut down from world in feudal era.

Indeed, Japan was forced to open itself by the "friendly" imperialist Americans, who threatened war on it if Japan had rejected. And today Perry is celebrated as a "friend" in Japan, even though he was a criminal imperialist. This is how the US and Japanese culture and whitewashed its history, also after WWII. The US always supported Japanese right and its revisionism because of the cold war.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

This is not the situation where Japan should finally exercise its resolve in foreign policy.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Kono statement is mentioned but never official apology from PM Miyazawa, etc. were mentioned yet.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

This is how the US* and Japanese culture and whitewashed its history This is how the US raped Japanese culture, I meant.

Anyway, I'm disgusted by the hypocrisy in this thread. But I'm not surprised.

@tinawatanabe: I'll always respect and love Japan, don't care what imperialist West says (and I'm European ^__^). Not all the western people are biased.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Alex80 Thank you for your encouragement, but I don't think most people demanding Japan appology and money is West.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

What apology? What kind of apology? Those women want a slice of Japan for the time they enjoyed being comfort women. They do deserve the whole of Fukushima and the island spewing lava.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

BertieWoosterJul. 26, 2014 - 08:27PM JST When it's about cleaning up their mess, apologising and moving on, the current Japanese government chooses to >ignore the UN. But when it's about the Senkaku islands, and the "nasty bullying Chinese," Japan soon bleats, "Help, help!" to the UN.

And when was this? When has Japan turned to the U.N. on the Senkaku issue?

BurakuminDesJul. 26, 2014 - 10:07PM JST I find it hard to comprehend how the "comfort children" could be considered "professional prostitutes" - except for >those with an extremely sick mind..

That's because you are biased, Even those who advocate the Comfort Women cause recognize that some of the women were prostitutes to start with. The issue pertains to those who were not.

0 ( +6 / -7 )

Alex80

Thank you from me too. Japanese people are now determined to fight back to the unfairness imposed to Japan. It is hilarious that some people take it as Japanese turning to the right-wing direction. No way. We are just going to the balanced position, to a normal country.

But one thing is clear. Japan will not go violent like China, or will not do as ROK do such as the the following:

http://www.who-sucks.com/people/the-exciting-world-of-south-korean-protests

2 ( +7 / -5 )

I can bet high that the patriotic Mr ban ki-moon doing much of the 'pushing' in this issue. For s.korea, i guess only when all the comfort women and the old age japanese army veterens finish their last breath does this will quiet down. For china, only when the downfall of the communist party's will stop the endless history propaganda. The old world and the world after the war is not the same. Every body who has been to all three countries, s.korea, china and japan today would know which county has the most polite people in the world and which has the worst manners in the world or temperament.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

StrangerlandJul. 26, 2014 - 08:24PM JST

The Japanese Government today is not the same as the Imperial Japanese Government of WW2

It's still the official government of the country of Japan. They don't suddenly get to drop responsibility just because the members change.

... and the constitution changed, and the laws changed, and the society changed.

By your logic Nelson Mandela should have stood up, taken responsibility for, and apologised for Apartheid.

Some Koreans chose not to accept it because it didn't come from the Japanese government, but the Imperial Japanese government is gone. These people are asking for the impossible.

No they aren't. They are asking for the government of Japan to compensate them for the wrongs that happened to them. The government of Japan can do this. So it's not impossible.

The government of Japan paid compensation to the government of Korea after WW2, although the government of Korea used the funds elsewhere and none of it made it to the comfort women (in no small part because of sexism and the stigma of admitting to having been a comfort woman).

The citizens of Japan then raised money and offered it to the comfort women. Some refused it, but many accepted it.

... and now they want the government of Japan to pony up again? This sounds more and more like a blackmail operation where the demands are endless, and each time they pay the amount escalates.

I can seriously understand why Japan has drawn a line in the sand on this issue, and says, "Enough is enough.".

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Keep this up, and there will eventually come a time when the UN calls on member nations to impose a sanction against Japan. Of course, not many will comply, and Japan will not really be affected in real-world terms, but it will send shockwaves. I hope that day comes sooner rather than later. It will be good for Japan's soul; it will shock at least some people awake and make them search their hearts to discover why the world never sees Japan's point of view on this issue -- or on the other hand, it may only spur on the process of isolation and petulant, retaliatory behavior; that's been the pattern so far^^.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Keep this up, and there will eventually come a time when the UN calls on member nations to impose a sanction against Japan. Of course, not many will comply, and Japan will not really be affected in real-world terms, but it will send shockwaves.

Over this? Never. The only country that's dumb enough to do this, of course, is South Korea.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

The true tragedy lies in the fact these former sex slaves are being re-victimized.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I wonder which country can be a "moral leader". And don't speak about Germany, thanks. Nobody sees Germany as a moral leader in Europe, specially in South Europe. The US? Loooooool.

Alex -- I can think of many -- The Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, to name just a few. But you still miss the point, or simply don't want to acknowledge it -- Japan is only "moral" when forced to do so and always wants to put it in terms of "compared to others". IMO that reflects a weak and shallow society.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Japan decided to talk directly with S Korea than UN as a mediator. There is an archive about this issues in Japanese Self Defence Force Libraly, USA gave to Japan. (Copying machines existed then so USA keep original?) UN does not have, Not easy to translate Japanese language during WW II era, to other languages.

Or Japan declined because Japan wanted UN to concentrate on Ukline, Israel-Hama?

It is OK to Japan if UN orders sanction against Japan. Abe goes everywhere and increased friendly countries. Japan can stop supporting UN by stopping to donate 20 % of UN busgets, It is OK, Japan save money. Japan and Korea will talk directly.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The notion that now Japan contributes 20% of UN budget is incorrect and misguided.

The fact of matter is that for 2013-15 budgetary period, the US pays 22 % (The US have been paying the ceiling rate since year 2000) and Japan foots the UN bills with 10.83% and Germany is not far away from Japan, it pays 7.14%.

So please do us here a big favor, stop spreading the misinformation to adjustify Japan's action on its war-time sexual slavery, okay ?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Here is what countries pay. US 22, Japan 10.833, Germany 7.191,France 5.593, UK 5.179, Chiba 5.148, Ittaly 4.418, Canada 2.984 ....... down down down. So, US Congress is discussing. Japan's share is large for a small country. I can write other countries but insignificant. Just they don't pay as much as Japan. Beside that, UN is planning to change these contributions now. Target now is Japan for humanitalina aid increase to African countries by contributing to UN. //However, Japan prefer to increas humanitalina aid by itself instead of increment to UN. Comfort women talks, too. Japan wanted talk without UN interference.

Japan and S Korea will discuss very soon. It is not just % Japan pay. Japan spend relief help more than 0.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

@tinawatanabe: but in the West there's an anti-Japanese propaganda. They always try to blame Japan for its mistakes, without looking at their own mistakes. The West is very hypocritical.

Alex -- I can think of many -- The Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Finland

Are you serious? Australia? New Zeland? When will Australia and New Zeland apologize and compensate the natives for their genocide? Not only this. Both of them have a low density of population, but also this way they have very strict rules for immigration. They don't even want climate refugees. Plus, do you know the situation at the Manus Island detention center? Try to read something about it, then tell me that Australia can be a "moral example" again. The Netherlands? Don't you know about the Dutch Empire? Did the Netherlands apologize properly to their victims?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Japan will never be a great society or one widely respected on the world stage.

And your country will? As long as you people are acting like this, less and less Japanese people will travel to and invest in your country, and PM Abe will only be more popular.

"never be a great society", "never be respected by world's community"etc

Some countries of Latin America, Russia and China hear it constantly. So what? They stay by their independent political course.

let the boycott begin

Yes, let's.

All those threats about "boycotts"are nothing short of shaking the air.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Some countries of Latin America, Russia and China hear it constantly. So what? They stay by their independent political course.

You could include the US as well. Many people around the world can't approve their politics and dislike their society, but they do whatever they want anyway..

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The entire Comfort Women issue, which was a crime against WOMEN, along with similar WWII crimes carried out by many other countries, has been hijacked into a "crime against humanity" where the blame is laid on one country for political reasons. Apart from Japanese soldiers in WWII, Korean soldiers in the Japanese military, Taiwanese soldiers in the Japanese military, Chinese civilians in the employ of the Japanese military all made use of the Comfort Stations, which in many cases were run and operated by Koreans. The US Army Report No.46 even suggests that Indian troops may have made use of them. These are all MEN who made use of these brothels. Now I suppose the South Koreans will argue that the Korean soldiers were "forced" to use the Comfort Women. It's absolutely disgraceful that the UN Human Rights Committee is nothing more than a political tool to purse the agendas of certyain countries. Where has the UNHRC been on the girls kidnapped by Boko Haram? This is happening now, today, not 70 years ago.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

...staffed by Professional Prostitutes. I know that Prostitution is supposed to be the oldest (for women) profession , but how does one (woman) become a Professional Prostitute? Do you go to school prostitution and get a degree in it, and do men get degrees in Pimping? I majored in hooking and marketing. The wonderful world of Whoring. Looking for an excellent career with plenty of room for advancement. Don't try this at home; we are trained professionals (Whores).

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Kristianna ThomasJul. 27, 2014 - 07:37AM JST ...staffed by Professional Prostitutes. I know that Prostitution is supposed to be the oldest (for women) profession , but >how does one (woman) become a Professional Prostitute?

Personally I think if you get paid more than once you're professional. But that's just an unqualified opinion. Professional Prostitutes in the context of Comfort Women would be women who were already in that trade prior to recruitment into the Comfort Women system. For example, the one case of the Comfort Women System which was actually prosecuted at the by WWII allies involves Indonesia where some 100 women of Dutch nationality were taken from the POW camps and "forced" to work in the Comfort Stations. Of these 100 or so, 30 women had nothing to do with prostitution. Whereas the remaining 70 were professional prostitutes who had been working in the brothels prior to the Japanese military occupation. As a side note, this incident was prosecuted by the Japanese military themselves and a Japanese officer was court marshalled for it. In the same manner, most real historians on both sides of the fence agree that the Korean Comfort Women were a mix of professional prostitutes as well as those who were deceived into recruitment.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

The entire Comfort Women issue, which was a crime against WOMEN, along with similar WWII crimes carried out by many other countries

And once again we're back to the 'but they did it too' defense.

has been hijacked into a "crime against humanity" where the blame is laid on one country for political reasons.

If Japan hadn't left themselves open to being attacked for this, by refusing to properly apologize and compensate the women, then no one could be placing the blame on them.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

but in the West there's an anti-Japanese propaganda. They always try to blame Japan for its mistakes, without looking at their own mistakes. The West is very hypocritical.

Alex80, yes I know especially since last December when US criticized Abe's shrine visit. But as to this comfort women thing, SK have been using it as a tool to humiliate and extort Japan.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japan paid compensation. It was not Japan's fault Korean govt did not give to former comfort girls.

In 2005, South Korea disclosed diplomatic documents that detailed the proceedings of the treaty. Kept secret in South Korea 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 the reign of Japan. 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. It was also revealed that the South Korean government assumed the responsibility for compensating individuals on a lump sum basis] while rejecting Japan's proposal for direct compensation. However, the South Korean government used most of the loans for economic development and have failed to provide adequate compensation to victims, paying only 300,000 won per death, with only a total of 2,570 million won to the relatives of 8,552 victims who died in forced labor. As the result, the Korean victims were preparing to file a compensation suit against the South Korean government as of 2005. The treaty does not preclude individual suits against Japanese individuals or corporations but such suits are often constrained by the statute of limitation. Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery, a mock trial organised by and supported by Japanese NGO Violence Against Women in War Network Japan, issued a ruling that "states cannot agree by treaty to waive the liability of another state for crimes against humanity""

0 ( +4 / -4 )

StrangerlandJul. 27, 2014 - 08:55AM JST "The entire Comfort Women issue, which was a crime against WOMEN, along with similar WWII crimes carried out by many other countries" And once again we're back to the 'but they did it too' defense.

Wrong. All of them are crimes against women.

"has been hijacked into a "crime against humanity" where the blame is laid on one country for political reasons."

If Japan hadn't left themselves open to being attacked for this, by refusing to properly apologize and compensate the >women, then no one could be placing the blame on them.

Japan has apologized to South Korea in 1965 and made payment to "Korean individuals who suffered". Japan wanted to make payment directly but South Korea refused saying they would make the payment. They lied and spent the money on other things. The 1993 Kono Statement is an undeniable apology. Japan as already done what you say they need to do,

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Japan paid compensation. It was not Japan's fault Korean govt did not give to former comfort girls.

Japan did not pay compensation to the women.

Let's say you owe me $10. You give it to my friend and say 'give it to Strangerland'. My friend doesn't give it to me. You still owe me $10. You also have a separate issue with my friend where he owes you $10, but I don't care about that, because the one who owes me the money is you.

Japan has apologized to South Korea in 1965 and made payment to "Korean individuals who suffered".

Japan has never made an official apology ratified by the cabinet. Only individuals expressing their personal opinion. And see my points above on payment.

The fact is, the comfort women have never received an official apology nor compensation. It's Japan's responsibility to do both of these.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Japan did not pay compensation to the women

They did. In 1965 agreement where Korean government accepted on behalf of ALL PEOPLE. The AWF was another okawari that was offered but women in Korea were threatened to not to accept them.

The problem here is the Korean government's failure to settle this matter domestically as in both cases, they promised that the issue will be settled if Japan does xxxxx and xxxxxx, and so on.

It was stupid for the Japanese government to assume Korea as a treaty/agreement abiding nation.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

They did. In 1965 agreement where Korean government accepted on behalf of ALL PEOPLE

They paid money to the korean government, not to the victims of their crimes. If the Korean government didn't pay the victims of the crimes then that is an issue between the Korean government and the Japanese government. But the victims have still not been paid the compensation for their crimes. As it is the Japanese government who has the responsibility to compensate for the crimes they have committed, they are the ones with the remaining responsibility to compensate for their crimes. Their issue with the Korean government is separate from that.

It was stupid for the Japanese government to assume Korea as a treaty/agreement abiding nation.

You're right. And the result of their stupidity is that they still have have fault.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

No SL. The 1965 agreement specifically states that

"confirm(ed) that the problems concerning property, rights, and interests of the two High Contracting Parties and their peoples (including juridical persons) and the claims between the High Contracting Parties and between their peoples, including those stipulated in Article IV(a) of the Peace Treaty with Japan signed at the city of San Francisco on September 8, 1951, have been settled completely and finally"

There are no crimes committed. If so, they are more than welcome to take their case to ICC or ICJ.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

And where is the agreement from the comfort women to have the government receive the payment on their behalf? That's right, it doesn't exist. So from the perspective of the comfort women, they have never received compensation from the Japanese government. If the Japanese government was stupid enough to give money to someone other than the comfort women, that is their own stupidity. But stupidity doesn't remove culpability.

The comfort women have never been compensated for being raped by the Japanese military. Therefore the Japanese government has the responsibility to compensate them, and any claims to the contrary are wrong.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

And where is the agreement from the comfort women to have the government receive the payment on their behalf?

That would be the problem for the Korean government as per above agreement. This is what I meant by "Korean government's failure to settle this matter". It's that simple.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

That would be the problem for the Korean government as per above agreement.

Unfortunately no. The fact is, the Japanese government has never paid compensation to the comfort women, and the comfort women have never received compensation from the Japanese government. Any other agreement is therefore irrelevant, and is an issue between the Japanese government and the Korean government.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Who did the j-gov deal with about the compensation agreement the Korean government or directly with the comfort women?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

No SL. Unless, of course, they are not "peoples" in the above agreement.

But, FYI, Japanese government requested for the individual payments but as per minutes of the meetings leading up to this said agreement, the Korean government insisted on paying out their own citizens.

http://www.f8.wx301.smilestart.ne.jp/honyaku/honyaku-2/718.pdf

Pg 115-116

Like I said before again and again, it's Korean government's failure.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Another question.

According to the compensation agreement who was supposed to hand over the money to the comfort women?

My guess would be that the k-gov was supposed to receive the funds as an immediary(agent for the cw).

4 ( +4 / -0 )

No SL. Unless, of course, they are not "peoples" in the above agreement.

An irrelevant agreement with someone not designated as a negotiator by the people who have been grieved is irrelevant, no matter what the wording of the agreement.

But, FYI, Japanese government requested for the individual payments but as per minutes of the meetings leading up to this said agreement, the Korean government insisted on paying out their own citizens.

Then the Japanese government got scammed by the koreans, because they paid money without removing any of their culpability. Stupid move on their part, but it's their own fault for making an agreement with a 3rd party, instead of handling the compensation directly.

No matter how you try to spin it, the comfort women have not received compensation from the government, and the government has not paid compensation to the comfort women.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

SL

You don't make any sense at all.

Japan was stupid ?

What does that make the Korean citizens be, after all it was their government that was representing all of Korean citizens?

And how could Japan negotiate on involving a third party when a government is the authorized representative of the citizens. By mere mentioning would be considered interference of internal affairs.

Lastly if president of the supposedly government scamed the citizens of Korea, why would they select his daughter as a representative of the nation again?

You can't have cake and eat it too.

5 ( +10 / -6 )

This issue is one filled with emotional childish feelings with absolutely zero proof to back it up. When folks are asked to provide any proof to backup with fanciful ideas when is deemed an evil nationalist of worse of all a revisionist.

But, the truth of the matter is there is very little proof to back-up the claims of the folks who support South Korea and Communist China. And we all know that both these countries are motivated to make Japan pay. Each wants something and each will do just about anything to get it.

Now, as to the UN Human Rights committee decision to step itself into this issue. Like I have said many times there are always more things behind these kinds of decisions than meets the eye. Wonder how much money it takes these days to buy votes at the UN Human Rights committee member?

2 ( +7 / -6 )

SamuraiBlue, does your company give your paycheck to your uncle? Do they do that and refuse to tell you about it for 40 years?

If they did, and your uncle kept the money, you would go after both your uncle and your company and you would be totally correct. Until you get your money, both are responsible. And let us not forget this was kept secret by Japan. For around 40 years, the South Korean people did not know where the money went, or indeed, that there was compensation money paid for individuals. So they went after Japan for 40 years and Japan kept the secret. Finally the secret was revealed in 2005 and now they go after both governments. Japan was as much a part of this heist as their own government. Both are guilty as sin.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

In 1965 Japan and South Korea signed a treaty which stated all claims for compensation had been met even though it does not mention the military prostitutes or comfort women. Japan has no treaty with North Korea.

@Zichi A nice point the Japanese nationalists and their pals love to overlook like all the other inconvenient details.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

does your company give your paycheck to your uncle? Do they do that and refuse to tell you about it for 40 years?

My uncle does not represent me, on the otherhand the government does. BIG difference.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

The fact remains that the comfort women have never received money from the Japanese government. You can try to dress that up with excuses all you want, but that fact remains.

-5 ( +6 / -10 )

My uncle does not represent me, on the otherhand the government does.

So a government that hides your paycheck represents you?

Are you missing the point intentionally or unintentionally?

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

The San Franscico Peace treaty does not define who are and who are not war criminals so Japan is not rejecting anything. On the otherhand the 1965 peace treaty does define all citizens of SK which includes the confort womens.

One more point, since the Korean peninsula was part of Japan during the war the two nations whether they were at war or not would not been included as signatories but mere observers.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

On the otherhand the 1965 peace treaty does define all citizens of SK which includes the confort womens.

And yet, the comfort women have never received compensation from the government of Japan.

-5 ( +7 / -11 )

And yet, the comfort women have never received compensation from the government of Japan.

I remember an old record player repeating a tune for ever.

3 ( +9 / -7 )

Crush Them

The company I work for will not give my paycheck to my uncle since he does not represent me. The government does and obtains part of my salary as tax.

Basically the analogy you post is as faulty as it can get.

2 ( +8 / -7 )

I remember an old record player repeating a tune for ever.

It wouldn't need to be repeated if people weren't denying the facts.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

The company I work for will not give my paycheck to my uncle since he does not represent me.

@SamuraiBlue Okay. So then you are okay with your company giving your paycheck to your government and not telling you where the money went. Because your government represents you.

I think you might want to check what it means to represent someone instead of attempting to redefine it.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Back on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan apologized many times. One such example. http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/taisen/letter.html

1 ( +6 / -5 )

The comfort women have never received compensation, nor an official apology, from the Japanese government.

This is the attitude from Korea that hurts Japanese people's feelings the most, and clear evidence that Japan should never give another apology and money or any assistance because it'll never be appreciated as has never been.

This is nothing but an extortion and will never stop.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

clear evidence that Japan should never give another apology and money or any assistance

Japan has never given an official apology, nor have they ever given the comfort women money. So there is no 'another apology', nor 'more money' about it.

And I don't know how you take my opinion as Korea's - I have zero affiliation with the country.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Strangerland, If you talk like a Korean, you'll be judged as Korean. Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing any posters here who identify themselves as Koreans, I might be wrong..

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This is the attitude from Korea that hurts Japanese people's feelings the most, and clear evidence that Japan should never give another apology and money or any assistance because it'll never be appreciated as has never been.

This is nothing but an extortion and will never stop.

Exactly. Korea was a part of Empire. An interesting analogy with former republics of the Soviet Union. After dissolution of the USSR, they gained independence. After that they began to blame Russian Federation (a successor of the Soviet Union) in all possible and impossible crimes and sins. Moreover, they demanded Russians "to apologize". Russians responded, that all those " new republics" used to be equel parts of a System, the Soviet Empire. Some "socialist Republics" provided soldiers for Soviet Army, food, military equipment ( the Ukranian Soviet Socialist Republic, for example -> tanks, heavy vehicles, missiles) and so on. Modern Russia has no reasons to apologize to them. Nowadays dirty politicians use false pretexts, blaming a neighborig nation of sins of the Past. Nothing, except gaining a cheap political agenda and extortion. I think the situation between South Korea and Japan is quite similar.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Who cares about the Koreans? It's the comfort women who deserve an apology.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

StrangerlandJul. 27, 2014 - 07:50PM JST Who cares about the Koreans? It's the comfort women who deserve an apology.

There! That is exactly what I have been saying, that the Comfort Women issue, as well as all the other similar issues from WWII, are a crime against WOMEN. It was not a crime against a COUNTRY as South Korea would have the world believe. It is disgraceful for South Korea to hijack the issue and turn it into a diplomatic and political issue. I repeat, 240,000 Korean men were serving in the Japanese military and making use of the comfort stations, at a discounted rate no less. It is also disgraceful for the many established International Women's Rights organizations to not point out this fact and allow what they advocate to be used as it is. For them, the Japanese Comfort Women System, the German WWII brothel system, the South Korea government's post WWII prostitution system are all issues that should concern them on the same level.

-1 ( +5 / -7 )

It is disgraceful for South Korea to hijack the issue and turn it into a diplomatic and political issue.

No, it would be irresponsible for them to not take up the cause on behalf of their citizens. But the goal of taking up that cause should be to get an apology and reparations for the comfort women.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Once the Korean guy in charge of UN retires this BS will fade away, I guess its all to do with his swansong as he is out the door pretty soon and would like to be some kind of icon to the Koreans, coz lets face who else have they got?

Korea want to keep bringing up this issue at every twist and turn, why are the singaporeans, the Taiwanese, the Malaysian and other Asian nations not making as much noise as those Koreans ?

The whole has been brought up hashed to death put to bed settled and brought up again, its like bad kimchi it keeps repeating on you .

How many times has japan tried to settle this once and for all only for the Koreans to bring it up again and say no apology or compensation were given when its documented over and over again it was.

It is documented fact , look it up for crying out loud its all there.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Japan rejects U.N. committee's call on 'comfort women'

I'm not sure what the "news" is here.

Are we supposed to be surprised that a body with no integrity whatsoever, and the problem solving skills of a primary school child, took ill-advised actions at the behest of special interest lobbyists and in so doing trampled on the integrity of international protocols and ignored the integrity of treaties already signed? Cause that's really not news at all. That's just another day at the UN.

Or maybe the "news" is supposed to be that at long last Japan has a leader who stands up to these cowards when they come calling?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

How many times has japan tried to settle this once and for all only for the Koreans to bring it up again and say no apology or compensation were given when its documented over and over again it was.

The comfort women have never received an official apology nor compensation from the Japanese government.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

A ex-Japanese imperial military officer once talked in a magazine.

His troop surrendered to US forces in an Asian country. American soldiers came to him, and the first question they asked him was where the comfort women were. He replied, then all the soldiers rushed to the place he said. Of course it was not to rescue the women.

I hate to say, but this is the reality.

Someone said above that the women were abondoned. But Japanese forces were defeated and surrendered. US forces should have been responsible for the safety of the comfort women after that. Japanese forces no longer had power to protect them.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

No, it would be irresponsible for them to not take up the cause on behalf of their citizens.

So laughable, which government took the money and lined it into their own pockets?

0 ( +7 / -7 )

StrangerlandJul. 27, 2014 - 09:23AM JST Let's say you owe me $10. You give it to my friend and say 'give it to Strangerland'. My friend doesn't give it to me. You still owe me $10. You also have a separate issue with my friend where he owes you $10, but I don't care about that, because the one who owes me the money is you.

Except that your example misses one CRITICAL point, namely that you authorised your "friend" to act on your behalf. That's exactly what a government is, it is a group of people elected by the people and authorised by the people to make agreements, collect monies, etc. on behalf of all the people in that country.

So a more accurate example would be you authorising your friend to collect $1000 from me on behalf of a whole lot of people, and you're one of those people. Then your friend doesn't pay you your $10. The problem is now between you and your friend. I paid the money to him in accordance with your wishes. You have no moral or legal right to complain about your decision to trust someone who wasn't trustworthy.

And this is precisely the situation with Japan and the comfort women. They authorised their government to act on their behalf. Their government betrayed them and now they're coming to Japan asking for more money. Japan has done its part. Their real quarrel is with the Korean government.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

StrangerlandJul. 27, 2014 - 08:47PM JST "It is disgraceful for South Korea to hijack the issue and turn it into a diplomatic and political issue." No, it would be irresponsible for them to not take up the cause on behalf of their citizens. But the goal of taking up that >cause should be to get an apology and reparations for the comfort women.

Wrong. If they accepted the reality that it was a Crime against Women, they too would be would be guilty. This is why the South Korean government's position on the Comfort Women is so hypocritical.

"A group of former prostitutes has filed a lawsuit against the South Korean government seeking more than $1.2 million in compensation, alleging that it exercised significant control over their activities" http://www.stripes.com/news/former-prostitutes-who-served-us-troops-sue-south-korea-1.294069

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

No, it would be irresponsible for them to not take up the cause on behalf of their citizens. But the goal of taking up that cause should be to get an apology and reparations for the comfort women.

So NOW, you want the SK government to represent these comfort women? You're all over the place.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

letsberealisticJul. 28, 2014 - 12:24AM JST So whether an apology is acceptable or is up to the perpetrator. Riiiiight.

Except that the Japanese government wasn't the perpetrator. That was the Imperial Japanese government. I suppose they could try and find the Japanese soldiers from that period and ask them to issue a joint apology? That would seem fitting in my opinion.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

So whether an apology is acceptable or is up to the perpetrator. Riiiiight.

No. There is no "acceptable" apology because, as history states, is never enough. Read the Review results of the Kono Statement just released recently. This is clear example of Korean government acting on behalf of the surviving comfort women on how it should be worded and what phrases and words to be used so that it would be "acceptable".

This continued with the Asian Women Fund where the Korean government welcomed the plan initially but did a complete turnaround threatening the recipients and the one who thought about accepting them.

http://www.awf.or.jp/3/korea.html

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

The United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva on Thursday called on Japan to take responsibility for its use of so-called “comfort women” during World War II.

They also need to call on S Korea to take responsibility for its use of their own people during Korean War.

On June 25, sixty-four years after the Korean War broke out, Cho joined 122 surviving comfort women, as they were called, in a lawsuit against their government to reclaim, they say, human dignity and proper compensation. The women claim the South Korean government trained them and worked with pimps to run a sex trade through the 1960s and 1970s for U.S. troops, encouraged women to work as prostitutes and violated their human rights.

http://news.yahoo.com/former-korean-comfort-women-u-troops-sue-own-104514461.html

According to Osamu Tajima, the government document regarding the state-controlled brothels for the US military was signed by the former SK president and military general Park Chung-hee, the father of Park Geun –hye.

http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/nonsec/social/283275/

0 ( +5 / -5 )

It is not too much money, so Japan should pay directly to former sex slave girls. Of cause S Korea will negotiate but it is best to pay directly.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

toshikoJul. 28, 2014 - 01:40AM JST It is not too much money, so Japan should pay directly to former sex slave girls. Of cause S Korea will negotiate but it >is best to pay directly.

I think Japan should sue South Korea to get the money that was meant for Korean individuals back. Then give it to the individuals directly. Obviously the South Korean government couldn't be trusted with the task.

-3 ( +5 / -9 )

@OssanAmerics:

toshikoJul. 28, 2014 - 01:40AM JST It is not too much money, so Japan should pay directly to former sex slave girls. Of cause S Korea will negotiate but it >is best to pay directly.

I think Japan should sue South Korea to get the money that was meant for Korean individuals back. Then give it to the individuals directly. Obviously the South Korean government couldn't be trusted with the task

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

I agree with you.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

UN absolutely did the right thing on this. Don't let Abe and his rightest element weasel their way out of this one. I think it will do the country good if he will come out and sincerely apologize to the victims like a man.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

@OssanAmerica

I think Japan should sue South Korea to get the money that was meant for Korean individuals back. Then give it to the individuals directly.

I rarely agree with your posts -- but that's great idea!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

When will the world ever learn that Japan is beyond criticism in all things? World War II and all it entailed was forced on an unwilling island country. China and Korea invited Japan in to administer their affairs. The Comfort women were happy for the work.

Prevalent international historical narratives on history are all misguided. Korea, China, Thaland, It is all a fabricated narrative that resulted from victor's justice. Korea, China, Thailand, Burma, Malayasia,The Phillipines, Britain, US, Holland etal are all fabricators of history. They are all woefully misinformed in their understanding of Japan's involvement in WWII. They are all wrong, and Japan is right, by virtue of its uniqueness and cultural superiority.

Korea and China are just jealous.

The only reliable information on this subject is from Japanese sources...

And the hits keep on coming...ad infintum...

3 ( +7 / -4 )

I think this continued harping on WWII crimes that happened over 70 years ago is a testament of how weak these governments are. If this finger pointing were to stop, what motivation would these governments have to build their country and bolster national pride. A declining population with no desire to integrate (Japan), an increasingly educated population at war with it's corrupt government (China), or a population so intent of rehashing its past it can't see it's future (Korea).

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

zichiJul. 27, 2014 - 10:08PM JST virgo98 A ex-Japanese imperial military officer once talked in a magazine. You frequently make these kind of "wild claims" so how about naming the imperial military officer, the mag and even provide a link?

Enjoy the read.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/25/AR2007042501801.html

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@isoducky

You are partly right. Another point to consider is the shared East Asian cultural heritage in the form of Confucionism, which is deeply ingrained in the respective cultures of China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

In the Western world after the Rennaissance and the Enlightment etc. history was deemed as something that could be separated from the present and future if it was deemed as obstructive to future change. This is not the case in East Asia, where history must be reconciliable with both the future and the past. Past defeats become celebrated as glorious sacrifices and historical narratives are revised to neatly dovetail with present actuality.

Of course all countries have a self-referential view of their own respective histories, but in East Asia, Confucionism ensures that the importance of history is given a disproportionate value over the present and the future. One need only look at Europe to see that the animosity between the major players is for the most part in the dust bin of history where it belongs. Not so-in Confucionist East Asia.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Unfortunately no. The fact is, the Japanese government has never paid compensation to the comfort women, and the comfort women have never received compensation from the Japanese government. Any other agreement is therefore irrelevant, and is an issue between the Japanese government and the Korean government.

In such cases, the usual doctrine is for the nation to argue on behalf of its citizens. Thus, when they got some compensation, the battle should have ended.

Further, to say the comfort women never saw the compensation is forced. The South Korean government (military junta) made the correct decision (one that would likely never have passed in a democracy geared to think short-term) to think long term and instead of dispersing the received funds among victims, they chose to centralize and invest it in infrastructure and industry, thus raising the overall living standards of Koreans. When a self-proclaimed comfort woman wears good clothing, takes modern transportation and all to reach the protest site (and receives modern healthcare without which they might not have lived to today, whether they spent several years servicing hundreds of men a day or not), to some extent they are seeing the benefits of the compensation, though in a more subtle yet more important way.

Also, treaties are law (in fact, generally they are placed higher than regular national law). Thus, when Korea signed the 1965 treaty, it in effect passed a law within its national borders saying the issue is settled, and Japan passed a law within its to squeeze out $800 million or whatever of compensation (otherwise, there would be no legal basis to just hand over or even loan $800 million to another country). Because it is law in two lands, a country cannot abrogate it on its own legal logic or own processes, once it is signed.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

And yet, we are still left with the fact that the comfort women have never received compensation from the Japanese government, and have never received an official apology from the Japanese government. Justify it all you want, it doesn't change the facts.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

And yet, we are still left with the fact that the comfort women have never received compensation from the Japanese government, and have never received an official apology from the Japanese government. Justify it all you want, it doesn't change the facts.

Correct that to

And yet, we are still left with the fact that some comfort women pressured by NGO and Korean government, have never been able to accept the goodwill compensation from the Japanese government and her people's and the personal apology letter from the Japanese prime minister in which those who have received them were driven to tears.

http://www.awf.or.jp/3/oralhistory-05.html

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

@boweevil

China and Korea invited Japan in to administer their affairs.

Yeah right. That is a total moronic statement. This is the same as saying Japan "invited" US to send their B-29 to rain on the Japanese cities during WW2.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

IMHO these statements sum up exactly why Japan will never be a great society or one widely respected on the world stage. Ecomonic power, yes. Moral leader, hell no. Because to Japan, moral leadership is something you do only if "obligated to do so" and, worse, it is perfectly acceptable for the PM to disparage the accounts of victims of the country's atrocities. So glad I am no longer there.

@jerseyboy - yet you regularly comment on a site devoted to a country that you obviously don't care about....makes a lot of sense haha /sarcasm

0 ( +5 / -5 )

And yet, we are still left with the fact that some comfort women pressured by NGO and Korean government, have never been able to accept the goodwill compensation from the Japanese government and her people's and the personal apology letter from the Japanese prime minister in which those who have received them were driven to tears.

1) Have the comfort women ever received payment directly from the Japanese government? 2) Has the Japanese government ever tried to give money directly to the comfort women? 3) Have the comfort women ever received an official apology from the Japanese government? 4) Has the Japanese government ever officially apologized, with said apology ratified by the cabinet, to the comfort women?

The answer to all four of the above questions is no.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

And yet, we are still left with the fact that the comfort women have never received compensation from the Japanese government, and have never received an official apology from the Japanese government. Justify it all you want, it doesn't change the facts.

Japan directly paid the government of South Korea to settle all compensation issues. If the comfort women have not yet received compensation from this pool of money that Japan paid into, it is the fault of the Korean government, not Japan.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Japan directly paid the government of South Korea to settle all compensation issues. If the comfort women have not yet received compensation from this pool of money that Japan paid into, it is the fault of the Korean government, not Japan.

As I said earlier in this thread:

Let's say you owe me $10. You give it to my friend and say 'give it to Strangerland'. My friend doesn't give it to me. You still owe me $10. You also have a separate issue with my friend where he owes you $10, but I don't care about that, because the one who owes me the money is you.

So if the comfort women have not yet received compensation, it is the fault of the Japanese government for giving compensation to someone other than those to whom it was intended.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@boweevil

Korea and China are just jealous.

Again you got it wrong here. I think Korea and China are sympathetic of the a-bomb victims during WW2, not jealous.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The Japanese and South Korean governments spent more than a decade negotiating the best way to handle this issue. The Japanese proposed that they compensate victims directly but the South Korean government insisted that they handle the distribution. Both parties came to the agreement that the best way forward was for the Japanese government to pay the South Korean government directly and let them handle the proper distribution. This makes sense because the South Korean government represents the Korean people and should know how to handle the distribution of compensation better than the Japanese government.

However, the South Korean government decided to channel all of those funds into developing the South Korean economy and did not use it to pay reparations to victims.

The Japanese government is not responsible for this.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

1) Have the comfort women ever received payment directly from the Japanese government?

Most of them, yes. But in Korea, as stated above, mostly thanks to the NGO and the about face deceiving Korean government, they were pressured not to receive them.

2) Has the Japanese government ever tried to give money directly to the comfort women

Yes. The AWF which the budget for operations came directly from the government hired local staff and ran newspaper ads to offer the said atonement money. Many accepted. But in Korea, as stated above, many were pressured not to receive them.

3) Have the comfort women ever received an official apology from the Japanese government?

Yes. Unless the subsequent cabinet indicates otherwise "継承しない" , it's official.

4) Has the Japanese government ever officially apologized, with said apology ratified by the cabinet, to the comfort women?

See #3

I would suggest your spouse who I believe is fluent in Japanese to translate the links I gave in this thread for it's patently obvious to any person with common sense that the fault lies within the Korean government.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

1) Have the comfort women ever received payment directly from the Japanese government?

Most of them, yes.

Please provide evidence.

2) Has the Japanese government ever tried to give money directly to the comfort women

Yes. The AWF which the budget for operations came directly from the government hired local staff and ran newspaper ads to offer the said atonement money.

Sorry, the money was not provided by the government. It was provided by private citizens.

3) Have the comfort women ever received an official apology from the Japanese government?

Yes. Unless the subsequent cabinet indicates otherwise "継承しない" , it's official.

No, they have not. There has never been an apology ratified by the cabinet. An official apology consists of the following:

A definitive, official government statement must fit one of four conditions:

1) a bill passed by the Diet. The Prime Minister, representing the Cabinet, submits a bill to the Diet (art 72), which becomes a law upon passage by both Lower and Upper Houses (art 59) and the signature of the competent Minister of State and the countersignature by the Prime Minister (art 49);

2) a statement by a cabinet minister in a full session of the Diet;

3) a statement by a prime minister in an official communiqué while on an overseas visit;

4) a statement ratified by the Cabinet, known as a cabinet decision, kakugi kettei.

In reality none of the first three examples of official statements are possible without a cabinet decision. A cabinet decision is the definitive expression of official government policy in Japan.

Thus far, in regard to the Comfort Women, none of these conditions have been met.

Link: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CC4QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jiaponline.org%2Fdocuments%2FWhatConstitutesApology.doc&ei=tI3TU_u-DIywuAT0x4KIBg&usg=AFQjCNEI_uahqO4P9Ni0v1_mSmWttCy-Jg

4) Has the Japanese government ever officially apologized, with said apology ratified by the cabinet, to the comfort women?

I just did, and it was wrong.

I would suggest your spouse who I believe is fluent in Japanese to translate the links I gave in this thread for it's patently obvious to any person with common sense that the fault lies within the Korean government.

I'm fluent in Japanese, I don't need my spouse to translate for me. But it's not obvious whatsoever that the fault lies with the Korean government, because the Japanese government has never officially apologized, nor given money to the comfort women.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

I think the best policy is ignore SK. They want attention from Japan very much. A high ranking Korean official once said so in his article in the Japan Times some time ago. So, don't give them attention.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

inawatanabeJUL. 28, 2014 - 03:00PM JST I think the best policy is ignore SK.

Tina, the call was made by the UN who represent the world, not South Korea.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Japan is damning itself for denying what they have done in the past... and Abe's refusal to accept responsibilities reminds people of the defiant nature of the Imprerial Gov't.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Please provide evidence.

http://www.awf.or.jp/e3/index.html

Sorry, the money was not provided by the government. It was provided by private citizens

http://www.awf.or.jp/e2/foundation.html

"...The Government of the Republic of Korea welcomed the Fund's establishment with such comments as "there is an element of public support for some projects, involving financial resources from the government budget"; "there was a straightforward expression of remorse and apology, given by the state to those concerned"; and "statements included a clearly expressed desire to discover what happened and to use that information as a lesson of history." These were welcomed as "sincere measures."

No, they have not. There has never been an apology ratified by the cabinet. An official apology consists of the following:

No it doesn't. Your link is somewhat laughable considering that an apology is NEVER "a bill passed by the Diet. " and that apology/statements through the Diet (one house, either lower or upper) are "resolutions" which is non binding. Secondly, the notion that cabinet statements have to be during the Diet session to be "official" is utter BS for first and foremost, the premise of "an issue as important as an apology," is false considering the hierarchy of cabinet statements or pending decisions during the Diet sessions are bills submitted to the Diet (国会提出案件) and national/domestic policy. This is a no brainer since Diet sessions purpose is to pass important legislative issue as opposed being "get bogged down " by "an apology". As to the "a statement by a prime minister in an official communiqué while on an overseas visit;" why does it have to be a communique as opposed to Prime Minister Miyazawa making the following statement in Seoul?

http://www.ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~worldjpn/documents/texts/exdpm/19920117.S1J.html

This is yet again, another example of nitpicking and finding reasons not to accept an apology. Official apology is simply an apology issued/stated by an official in an official capacity and nothing more. The mere fact that the Korean government went lengths to negotiate the wording of the Kono statement proves this. And subsequently,"there was a straightforward expression of remorse and apology, given by the STATE to those concerned" per Korean government

1 ( +6 / -5 )

the call was made by the UN who represent the world

Ban Ki-Moon has a very poor records as a "World's Representative". But he is still the Best representative of South Korean interests.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

good

3 ( +4 / -1 )

each time when you denial you refresh the crime and create hate among the victims , denial mean recurring. apology vanish crime and vanish hate

0 ( +6 / -6 )

If you sign a document in 1979 and the other signatories accept that signature, you can't apply that document to anything that happened prior to signing unless the document specifically SAYS you can. The U.N. is overstepping its authority here.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@decibel

Nah, you got it wrong on both counts if you think I actually believe that. Those are the most common misperceptions that are stated by right winged Japanese twistorians. A top ten list, if you like, of the most annoying false narratives and erroneous statements that are churned out time and time again by those that have the view that Japan is a unique country, in that unlike any other country in the world, it has a completely spotless history.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

tokyodoumo Jul. 29, 2014 - 02:03AM JST Japan is damning itself for denying what they have done in the past... and Abe's refusal to accept responsibilities reminds people of the defiant nature of the Imprerial Gov't.

Abe might be correct if you based on 1965 treaty with Korea. In 1965 the issue was settled for $500 million that was paid out to Korea. The Japan goverment asked Korea goverment to show the concrete number of conscripted workers and soldiers, dead and injured and how much unpaid wages were. They asked to "show the evidences and they would pay". Korea goverment agreed and investigated them. At that time, Korea didn't claim the compensation for the war time prostitutes. Nobody said at the time in Korea, those prostitutes were abducted. Most people knew there were many women who were so poor that they sold themselves to live and the Japan army didn't have to abduct Korean women. Until 1944, there were many Korean volunteers for Japan army at the time. Therefore Koreans didn't claim it at that time. It's the Korea goverment's agreement problem if they did not disclose the comfort women issue at the time. What did South Korean goverment do with the $500 million that Japan paid already? Why didn't the Korean goverment didn't disclose the this information to their own people until 2005 and hidden for 40 years? Since Japan settled the matter in 1965, South Korean goverment agreed to handle the individual compensation, they should pay these women from the money that they received already.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Tina, the call was made by the UN who represent the world, not South Korea.

So, what is SK 's next step? It can do nothing about it if Japan ignore and Japan will ignore. It's not binding, you know that. I wonder why you don't take this to Int'l court, but fooling around with this non-binding committee.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

UN is useless anyway, especially with Ban at the helm. I agree with Tina's comments about JPN ignoring SK on this standpoint. If these J politicians just ignored SK, then at least they wouldn't have to put their foot in mouth when they speak on these issues. With the prevalence of social media and getting news via internet, words can easily get misconstrued if not explained properly. Like literally any question about "comfort women", duct-tape the J politicians' mouths from talking.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@StrangerlandJUL. 28, 2014 - 01:32PM JST

Let's try this. I owe you $10. Your mother insists very hard I give it to her instead of you directly. Eventually, I agree. Your mother decides instead of giving it to you direct to buy you a nice steak. Even though you ate the steak, you come and say I didn't give you $10.

I think most people would say maybe you should talk to your mother, not me.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Let's try this. I owe you $10. Your mother insists very hard I give it to her instead of you directly. Eventually, I agree. Your mother decides instead of giving it to you direct to buy you a nice steak. Even though you ate the steak, you come and say I didn't give you $10. I think most people would say maybe you should talk to your mother, not me.

First of all, you owed me the $10, not my mother. It was your responsibility, not my mother's, to see that I was compensated. Second, it's also what you know about the character of my mother, which in this case is not my mother, but my alcoholic uncle.

Let's try this: Say you owe me $25 dollars. My drunken uncle comes to you and says he can get you out of your debt if you pay him $20. (At this point, you have reasonable suspicion what my uncle is going to do with the money.) All the better for you, you own a liquor store. Anyone would say you have no sense of honor whatsoever.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Nobody said at the time in Korea, those prostitutes were abducted. Most people knew there were many women who were so poor that they sold themselves to live and the Japan army didn't have to abduct Korean women. Until 1944, there were many Korean volunteers for Japan army at the time. Therefore Koreans didn't claim it at that time. It's the Korea goverment's agreement problem if they did not disclose the comfort women issue at the time. What did South Korean goverment do with the $500 million that Japan paid already? Why didn't the Korean goverment didn't disclose the this information to their own people until 2005 and hidden for 40 years? Since Japan settled the matter in 1965, South Korean goverment agreed to handle the individual compensation, they should pay these women from the money that they received already.

sfjp330,

Ok I'll bite, pls explain who the HELL created the above conditions.............................................?????

You don't know, here is a hint...................JAPAN!

Nuff said!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I think most people would say maybe you should talk to your mother, not me.

@Kazuaki Shimazaki If it were true, and I don't think it is, it would still be an ad populum fallacy. What most people "think" is not justice or the way laws and courts work. In fact, if this money owed were a paycheck, it would be illegal to give it anyone else without express permission.

And your example of a steak? I think a penny fish, or one piece gum would be a better example. The victims did not receive anything near the value of what they were owed. A steak might actually cost 10 bucks. The value the victims got out of public works and officials pocketing the money was not on par with ten bucks to a steak.

If it were YOU owed the money, I seriously doubt you would be letting anyone off the hook. My bet would be that after you found your uncle spent your money, you would approach the person who gave your money to him and say "Why in the hell did you do that?? You still owe me. You get my uncle to pay you back, and good luck with that. But you give me my money now."

After all, why should someone else's stupid decision be YOUR problem? Why should you now have to go after your uncle? Let the debtor go after him. Its between him and the uncle and burdening you is ridiculous and unfair.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

GWJul. 29, 2014 - 08:48PM JST Ok I'll bite, pls explain who the HELL created the above conditions.............................................????? You don't know, here is a hint...................JAPAN! Nuff said!

Ridiculous conclusion. Selling off daughters to pay for family dent was a tradition in Korea (as well as Japan) well before Korea became a Japanese colony. Japan wanted to pay Korean individuals directly, the South Korean govt refused and insisted on accepting on their behalf and that they would distribute it, They LIED.

yabitsJul. 29, 2014 - 08:10PM JST "Let's try this. I owe you $10. Your mother insists very hard I give it to her instead of you directly. Eventually, I agree. Your mother decides instead of giving it to you direct to buy you a nice steak. Even though you ate the steak, you come and say I didn't give you $10. I think most people would say maybe you should talk to your mother, not me." First of all, you owed me the $10, not my mother. It was your responsibility, not my mother's, to see that I was >compensated

Not if you are a minor and seeing that you accept your mother to legally represent you, anyone can give your $10 to your mother. It was your mother's responsibility to give that money to you.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Japan wanted to pay Korean individuals directly, the South Korean govt refused and insisted on accepting on their behalf and that they would distribute it, They LIED.

This is COMPLETE stupidity on Japan's part. Either they don't have the common sense God gave a frog, OR, this was a cynical ploy and they knew what was happening from the start, in which case they are without honor. Take your pick. There is no third option.

Not if you are a minor and seeing that you accept your mother to legally represent you, anyone can give your $10 to your mother. It was your mother's responsibility to give that money to you.

The comfort women were adults at the time. Where is the proof that they signed over their legal right for the representation of their interests to the South Korean government? If Japan doesn't have that, the debt is still in effect.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

yabits

The comfort women were adults at the time. Where is the proof that they signed over their legal right for the representation of their interests to the South Korean government?

In case you haven't heard it's called representative democracy. The ROK government was the legitmate representative of the PEOPLE. They was no breakage in lineage(Coup d'état, revolution or otherwise) stating the past government was not legitmate. Thereby the government Japan had negotiated was and is the authorized government. Beyond that it is ROK's internal affair in which Japan has no interest to getting involved.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

In case you haven't heard it's called representative democracy.

This is stupid. In case you haven't heard, within democracies there are smaller bargaining units to represent the interests of an individual or the common interests of a group of them (ie a "class"). They are normally carried out by private attorneys hired by the claimants. If a South Korean comfort woman immigrated to Canada, she would not lose her right to sue for compensation for wrongs done to her, and Japan would not be dealing with the Canadian government other than any agency who the woman has authorized to negotiate on her behalf, through her legal counsel. That's how laws work.

When a country like Japan sits down to meet with a foreign agency, the first thing they look for is proof that the claimants have legally authorized this agency to represent them. It is sheer stupidity to assume that just because this group of people you are meeting with are government nationals, that they actually represent the interests of the victims in this specific matter.

Japan has no interest

In this instance, it has no honor.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

yabits

Sorry but that is just pure split hair strawman's argument.

When two nations are involved to discuss how to resolve a dispute, the government has all exclusive authority to represent the people.

Once a treaty is signed it represent the entire population of that nation. If you have problem with that take it up with the government.

If Japan had no honor then ALL Koreans have no shame including the present government.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

When two nations are involved to discuss how to resolve a dispute, the government has all exclusive authority to represent the people.

If the dispute is between nations, yes. But not a dispute between one nation and a victim class made up of women of several nations.

Once a treaty is signed it represent the entire population of that nation

There is something called "protocol." If comfort women are included in the treaty, in this case involving those who are South Koreans who still live in South Korea, during the treaty negotiations the government of Japan would ask for the legal representatives of the victim class, as it regards the comfort women.

It would be up to South Korea to ensure the women had legal representation so that they could authorize who they wanted to negotiate for them. But it would be up to Japan to receive the legal notification of that authorization by the victim class -- for their records. It was Japan's right and responsibility to do so. (If they had not received it, the comfort women issue could not be a part of the treaty. This would have put pressure on South Korea's government to do the right thing -- and not for Japan to stupidly assume that they would. Or simply table the issue of comfort women and proceed to sign the treaty without it. A FAR better outcome than mistreating the women again.)

If they had followed proper legal protocol, Japan could say to the women and the world: "Look, we sat down and specifically asked for and obtained this legal document by which you women authorized your legal representatives to negotiate for you. This is not anything new. It has been a standard part of legal proceedings between countries for centuries.

Japan wanted to overlook this very simple legal procedure. They were either completely stupid or completely without honor. Japan wants to claim stupidity -- "Duh...I paid your mother." I don't think they are stupid. But it is another example of treating the interests of the women as something beneath them.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

yabitsJul. 29, 2014 - 10:11PM JST "Japan wanted to pay Korean individuals directly, the South Korean govt refused and insisted on accepting on their behalf and that they would distribute it, They LIED." This is COMPLETE stupidity on Japan's part. Either they don't have the common sense God gave a frog, OR, this was >a cynical ploy and they knew what was happening from the start, in which case they are without honor. Take your >pick. There is no third option. The comfort women were adults at the time. Where is the proof that they signed over their legal right for the >representation of their interests to the South Korean government? If Japan doesn't have that, the debt is still in effect.

Your response is psychotic. The South Korean government was (and still is) the legitimate globally recognized govt of the Republic of Korea, with the authority to negotiate and dictate terms leading to binding treaties with the sovereign nations, on BEHALF of all the people of South Korea. This includes ALL SOUTH KOREAN FORMER COMFORT WOMEN. Why should Japan be responsible at all for accepting the South Korean govt's word in good faith?

zichiJul. 30, 2014 - 12:01AM JST "In case you haven't heard it's called representative democracy. The ROK government was the legitmate representative of the PEOPLE. " On 1965, when South Korea and Japan signed a treaty, the government of the ROK were a military dictatorship.

It doesn't matter if it was a Divine Monarchy. It was the legally accepted legitimate government of the Republic of Korea. The entire UN accepted it and even fought for it.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

It would be up to South Korea to ensure the women had legal representation so that they could authorize who they wanted to negotiate for them. But it would be up to Japan to receive the legal notification of that authorization by the victim class -- for their records. It was Japan's right and responsibility to do so.

Nope Japan has no such responsibility whatsoever.

Listen, the government of the allies all signed a treaty in behalf of their citizens whether individual citizens approved it or not it was binding and it was final. The negotating government does not need to ask each and every individual within that nation their consensus.That is the job of their own government. It's the same. If anyone has a problem then it is their own responsibility to make demands to their own government.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The South Korean government was (and still is) the legitimate globally recognized govt of the Republic of Korea, with the authority to negotiate and dictate terms leading to binding treaties with the sovereign nations, on BEHALF of all the people of South Korea. This includes ALL SOUTH KOREAN FORMER COMFORT WOMEN

Wrong. Only if the victim class is mentioned in the treaty can Japan assure itself and prove to the world that they are included.

Are the comfort women specifically mentioned in the 1965 treaty?

There is a saying: In law, ambiguity will kill you every time. If Japan purposely kept things ambiguous in the hopes of skating out of their responsibility to the victims, the world will find it hard to endorse that kind of willful stupidity.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation

Article II

1 The High Contracting Parties confirm that the problems concerning property, rights, and interests of the two High Contracting Parties and their peoples (including juridical persons) and the claims between the High Contracting Parties and between their peoples, including those stipulated in Article IV(a) of the Peace Treaty with Japan signed at the city of San Francisco on September 8, 1951, have been settled completely and finally.

As written within the treaty it includes all people of the nation whether specified or not does not matter.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

If the dispute is between nations, yes

And nations do include citizens. It's a ratified treaty where South Korean government agreed to take care of its own people. For instance, who takes care of the atomic bombing victims or damages caused by the Allieds to the Japanese population? Japan. Why? Because the treaty calls for

" Japan waives all claims of Japan and its nationals against the Allied Powers and their nationals arising out of the war or out of actions taken because of the existence of a state of war, and waives all claims arising from the presence, operations or actions of forces or authorities of any of the Allied Powers in Japanese territory prior to the coming into force of the present Treaty. "

Without it, the courts in each respective nations will be flooded and paralyze the system.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

As written within the treaty it includes all people of the nation whether specified or not does not matter.

As it regards a special victim class such as comfort women, it does matter. Japan has done nothing but embarrass itself and bring meiwaku to the United Nations and the world with this continuing display of stupidity.

It's a ratified treaty where South Korean government agreed to take care of its own people.

Any nation with half-a-brain would have not wanted any special classes of victims to be obscured by ambiguity, but mentioned specifically.

For instance, who takes care of the atomic bombing victims or damages caused by the Allieds to the Japanese population? Japan. Why? Because the treaty calls for

No. Because Japan, having started the war and surrendered, had no legitimate claim to make. The nature of Japan's civilian victims towards the Allied powers is of a different nature than Japan's relationship with Korea.

Without it, the courts in each respective nations will be flooded and paralyze the system.

The issue persists and whatever paralysis is there is solely due to Japan's failure to have dealt with it properly.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Any nation with half-a-brain would have not wanted any special classes of victims to be obscured by ambiguity, but mentioned specifically.

There is no ambiguity. It states "High Contracting Parties and their peoples" "have been settled completely and finally."

No. Because Japan, having started the war and surrendered, had no legitimate claim to make

We're talking individuals.

The issue persists and whatever paralysis is there is solely due to Japan's failure to have dealt with it properly

The issue persists and whatever paralysis is there is solely due to Korean government's failure to have dealt with it properly.

Corrected.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

There is no ambiguity. It states "High Contracting Parties and their peoples" "have been settled completely and finally."

The world may well view the comfort women as a special class of victims, taken out of their countries and trafficked for sexual slavery. The crimes not only occurred in Korea but across international boundaries. This is a special class of crime perpetrated by Imperial Japan, and seemingly defended by the Abe government.

During the negotiations for the 1965 treaty there is no mention of compensation for comfort women as far as I am able to determine. There is no evidence -- at least none that Japan can provide -- that the Korean government was aware of the issue. South Korea's high court has ruled that the 1965 treaty did not remove the right of Koreans subject to illegal activity by Japan during wartime to sue for compensation. Japan may feel it is perfectly legal to traffic unwilling women across borders for sexual purposes, but I rather doubt they'll get many to support their position.

This issue persists because of Japan's repeated failures to deal with it properly. Corrected.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

yabitsJul. 30, 2014 - 12:35AM JST "The South Korean government was (and still is) the legitimate globally recognized govt of the Republic of Korea, with the authority to negotiate and dictate terms leading to binding treaties with the sovereign nations, on BEHALF of all the people of South Korea. This includes ALL SOUTH KOREAN FORMER COMFORT WOMEN

Wrong. Only if the victim class is mentioned in the treaty can Japan assure itself and prove to the world that they are >included. Are the comfort women specifically mentioned in the 1965 treaty?

Wrong. The Comfort Women "qualify as individuals who suffered". There are countless individual categories of Koreans who suffered that aren't "specifically named" but are undeniably "individuals who suffered". Or do you think the South Korean government denies that they suffered?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

There are countless individual categories of Koreans who suffered that aren't "specifically named" but are undeniably "individuals who suffered".

The question is how hard would it be to convince the world jury that mass-organized, sexual trafficking of women is not a crime of a special category, deserving special consideration. Rather easy, I think.

Or do you think the South Korean government denies that they suffered?

If you are referring to the 1965 treaty and the many discussions leading up to it, there is no indication that ROK thought anything about it. All we have are the historical records and they are notable by the absence of the issue.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The world may well view the comfort women as a special class of victims, taken out of their countries and trafficked for sexual slavery. The crimes not only occurred in Korea but across international boundaries. This is a special class of crime perpetrated by Imperial Japan, and seemingly defended by the Abe government

Using the words "may well view" are simply subjective interpretation and certainly carries little weight legally. Attachment of private brothel operators, private merchants, and private doctors to a military unit is not a crime.

During the negotiations for the 1965 treaty there is no mention of compensation for comfort women as far as I am able to determine. There is no evidence -- at least none that Japan can provide -- that the Korean government was aware of the issue. South Korea's high court has ruled that the 1965 treaty did not remove the right of Koreans subject to illegal activity by Japan during wartime to sue for compensation. Japan may feel it is perfectly legal to traffic unwilling women across borders for sexual purposes, but I rather doubt they'll get many to support their position.

Being "aware" and or lack thereof of their own citizens is still the responsibility of the Korean government. What the South Korean high court ruled is irrelevant unless they bring the case to international courts (ICJ).

The question is how hard would it be to convince the world jury that mass-organized, sexual trafficking of women is not a crime of a special category, deserving special consideration. Rather easy, I think.

Ex post facto

It seems you are now shifting the arguments based on emotion.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

yabitsJul. 30, 2014 - 02:57AM JST "There are countless individual categories of Koreans who suffered that aren't "specifically named" but are undeniably "individuals who suffered". The question is how hard would it be to convince the world jury that mass-organized, sexual trafficking of women is >not a crime of a special category, deserving special consideration. Rather easy, I think.

A "world jury" as in a court of law? If so South Korea has very little evidence to support most of it's claims. Even an investigation conducted in South Korea in 1993 on 40 former Comfort Women found their testimony "not credible" In a court of law, "emotionalism" doesn't win cases.

"Or do you think the South Korean government denies that they suffered?"

If you are referring to the 1965 treaty and the many discussions leading up to it, there is no indication that ROK >thought anything about it. All we have are the historical records and they are notable by the absence of the issue.

So neither South Korea nor Japan thought about. However the wording that "Korean individuals who suffered" would certainly include Korean former comfort women, whether they are specifically mentioned or not, and they would be entitled to part of USD 500 million that Japan paid to South Korea for that purpose.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Why keep on going back to the same dry well expecting a different response? You can't force or coerce an apology, it won't be genuine. The 1965 treaty was a bad deal, but it's what Korea could get. Korea could not waste years or decades for reparations from Japan, when the rest of the world wouldn't lend money to Korea. It could not remain poor while North Korea was stronger and richer at that time.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The 1965 treaty was a bad deal, but it's what Korea could get

It's a great deal. Unprecedented. I can't think of any nation paying her former colony 1.6 times their national budget.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

nigelboy Jul. 30, 2014 - 04:34AM JST It's a great deal. Unprecedented. I can't think of any nation paying her former colony 1.6 times their national budget.

Doesn't mean much. In 1965, the average income per person in South Korea was about $1,000 a year. Korea was very poor country. At the time, Japan had 4-1/2 times greater average income at that time. So when you say Japan's payment was 1.6 times their national budget, Korea didn't have much GDP to start with.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

It doesn't matter if it was a Divine Monarchy. It was the legally accepted legitimate government of the Republic of Korea.

The key word is "representative." Most would have a hard time understanding how a divine-right monarchy or military dictatorship is representative of the people. Only the most evil kind of cynic would do business with one and claim the will of their people was fulfilled by it. Especially people they victimized.

Attachment of private brothel operators, private merchants, and private doctors to a military unit is not a crime.

I am amused at the attachment of sexual trafficking of women as just another normal services function for the Japanese apologist. It makes their apologies that much more amusing to behold. Most would regard sexual trafficking as a crime, and women who claim to have been coerced into it are more credible than the criminals who coerced them.

Being "aware" and or lack thereof of their own citizens is still the responsibility of the Korean government.

And I endorse their willingness to make the world more aware with every memorial they set up -- each memorial a silent testimony to Japan's defense of criminality and lack of moral backbone in this matter. Witnessing these pathetic and baseless arguments in Japan Today has done nothing but increase my feelings of sympathy and support for the comfort women and their cause.

Even an investigation conducted in South Korea in 1993 on 40 former Comfort Women found their testimony "not credible"

Are you claiming here that each statement by each and every woman of each and every aspect of her life was not credible? Really? On the contrary, one can be sure that all-too-great a percentage of what the women had to say about their lives as sex slaves was completely credible. A survivor of a hellish experience might forget some trivial details about how they were recruited for what they thought was another line of work. And on that basis, her entire story is not credible?

However the wording that "Korean individuals who suffered" would certainly include Korean former comfort women, whether they are specifically mentioned or not, and they would be entitled to part of USD 500 million that Japan paid to South Korea for that purpose.

Wrong. It would only include them if the estimates on how many were wronged and entitled to compensation under the treaty included them. If the Koreans didn't include them, then their estimates would be off by as much as 200,000 individuals. Secondly, if it did include them, then there would be records of payments to at least some of the comfort women on the basis of that status. After all, people had to apply to be compensated. It would appear that the compensation payments were for manual laborers and that comfort women were not eligible.

Is Japan responsible? They ran the peninsula and the war on the continent, and knew the numbers. They are the moral midgets who knew they were getting off as much as 200,000 light.

It's a great deal. Unprecedented. I can't think of any nation paying her former colony 1.6 times their national budget.

LOL! 1.6 times Japan's budget? If you mean GDP, Japan's "budget" in 1965 was around US $81B. They made big money off of post-colonial Korean suffering, bearing much responsibility for it, and were about to make more off of Vietnam. Oh, you meant Korea's budget, which was minuscule. So much of it coming right back to Japan in development projects and trade. It was a great deal for Japan.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Just wanted to point out that the People's Republic of China, Pakistan, and Russia are on the UN's Commission on Human Rights.

Not saying these things are not important, but can we just continue ignoring the UN on this issue?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

nigelboy Jul. 30, 2014 - 04:34AM JST It's a great deal. Unprecedented. I can't think of any nation paying her former colony 1.6 times their national budget.

The 1965 treaty was more like $300 million ($30 million year for 10 years) with the rest in loans that the world wouldn't lend money to Korea. As part of the final settlement, Japan agreed to provide South Korea with an outright grant of $300 million, to be distributed over a 10-year period, a $200 million LOAN to be distributed over a 10-year period and REPAID over 20 years at 3.5% interest, and $300 million in private LOAN over 10 years from Japanese banks and financial institutions. You noticed the word "LOAN"?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The Korean government accepted money from Japan. The comfort women have never received money from the Japanese government. Some people argue that it's the responsibility of the Korean government to have paid the comfort women, and they argue this from a legal point of view. Whether or not they are correct is irrelevant, as from a moral point of view, the women have never received compensation (nor an official apology) from the Japanese government. As such, the Japanese government will continue to look bad for as long as they refuse to compensate for their wrongs. People don't care about the legalities, they care about the fact of the matter.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

StrangerlandJul. 30, 2014 - 07:20AM JST The Korean government accepted money from Japan. Whether or not they are correct is irrelevant, as from a moral point of view, the women have never received compensation (nor an official apology) from the Japanese government.

Korean goverment didn't care about their own people, the facts are they hid their 1965 agreement until 2005, when South Korean government disclosed 1,200 pages of the treaty, which is 40 years later after the treaty. If they cared, would they wait 40 years?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

yabitsJul. 30, 2014 - 05:53AM JST "It doesn't matter if it was a Divine Monarchy. It was the legally accepted legitimate government of the Republic of Korea."

The key word is "representative." Most would have a hard time understanding how a divine-right monarchy or military >dictatorship is representative of the people. Only the most evil kind of cynic would do business with one and claim the >will of their people was fulfilled by it. Especially people they victimized.

So the entire world is full of evil cynics because we all recognize the one party dictatorship in Beijing as the legitimate govt of China. And that same China as well as South Korea are evil cynics because they are holding today's modern democratic Japan responsible for the actions of a fascist militarist Empire that ended 70 years ago. Sorry but the key word is not "representative", it's "recognition". The ROK govt from 1965 is the same ROK govt that is recognized by trhe United Nations.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

But a tranche of the political right, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, continue to cast doubt, claiming the brothels were staffed by professional prostitutes

Wow Abe!?! Pimp of the Year!!

Those were Pro Pros!!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

You noticed the word "LOAN"?

Yes. That's why it was a heckuva deal for Japan. And how much of that loan came right back to Japan in the form of construction and other contracts?

The Korean government accepted money from Japan. The comfort women have never received money from the Japanese government.

The money that the Korean government accepted was never intended for the comfort women, as the Japanese like to portray. They were not part of the 1965 agreement. For the most part the crimes that happened to them did not occur on Korean soil, and not all were Koreans. They constitute a special class of victim.

Whether or not they are correct is irrelevant, as from a moral point of view,

Moral view? Many Japanese have one, but not these revisionists. They are near the bottom of the barrel of the human gene pool where morals are concerned, if they have any at all. I can't think of anyone who would spend so much time and energy defending a lack of morals, as so clearly demonstrated in their disparagement of the remaining comfort women.

So the entire world is full of evil cynics because we all recognize the one party dictatorship in Beijing as the legitimate govt of China.

If you owed a debt to a certain group of Tibetan people that you once debauched and you were counting on the PRC to take care of it for you, you wouldn't have the sense God gave a frog. And then you go and tell the world that you paid your debt, and tell the Tibetans to take it up with Beijing. (Meanwhile, in exchange for the money for Tibet, Beijing throws you some nice contracts. That's about the size of this situation.)

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Tina, I am a foreign resident of Japan with Japanese children. My hope is that Japan will develop into a more compassionate and responsible, mature member of the International community so my children can be proud of their heritage - right now, with moves like this, going against the international community (and whaling etc.) it's not looking good for that to happen anytime soon.

What waffle. I'm the same and my son doesn't need to feel ashamed about something he has nothing to do with.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Koreans should riot against their own government over mismanagement before making demands.

Good idea considering who's in power over there. But I guess "children pay for parent's crime" doesn't apply to her?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Ooops.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan needs to take the high road and get in front of this issue. Just admit it again and once again make contrition and seek to give restitution to those in the past. This is what a strong country would do. Do not run from it. Lean forward and own it and then and only then will Japan be able to put it behind them.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Secondly, if it did include them, then there would be records of payments to at least some of the comfort women on the basis of that status. After all, people had to apply to be compensated.

http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LPOD&mid=sec&sid1=&oid=143&aid=0000070428

Do you see a trend here?

Korean government reject 9 out of 10 claims of women who claim to be former comfort women. And yet the current Korean government wants the Japanese government to do something about it, AGAIN.

Quit making excuses for the Korean government.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Lean forward and own it and then and only then will Japan be able to put it behind them.

Japan has put it behind them. There is only 1 country that hasn't.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

You know it was sad that this happened. However it happened over 50 years ago. Don't you think it's time to move on? If you keep bringing this up, it only becomes a constant reminder to any victims - they cant move on with their lives then. Also I think the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva has some major problems. THIS HAPPENED 50 YEARS AGO. WHY ARE THEY GOING AFTER JAPAN WHEN IT IS HAPPENING NOW IN NIGERIA. AND WHAT ABOUT THE GAZA ISSUES. The United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva needs to learn to prioritize.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

There are 3 basic questions.

The Korean government employed comfort women and operated state-owned brothels for the Korean Army during the Korean War while it ignores the fact and never deals with the fact with the same endeavour as it deals with the Comfort Women Issue related to the Japanese Army. Why?

The Korean government has employed comfort women and operated state-owned brothels for US troops up until today for a long period during and after the Korean War, while it never deals with the fact with the same endeavour as it deals with the Comfort Women Issue related to the Japanese Army. Why?

Korean government pays so great attention to the past comfort women while it ignores the present-day Korean women who are compelled to become modern-day comfort women because of their dire situation of being deeply in debt. Why?

Korean government is a bunch of hypocrites! Koreans have no right to criticize the present day Japanese.

False Accuzations of Comfort Women http://www.howitzer.jp/korea/page03.html

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Korean efforts of building comfort women memorials all over the United States are disgusting and outrageous.

Koreans have had a long tradition of selling the first born daughter into prostitution in order to feed the rest of the family. I wonder if Americans feel sympathy for Koreans and building monuments with such knowledge. As they were sold by their own parents, there are no protests or eyewitness records by their own parents (or any other third party) alleging that their daughter was abducted by the Japanese police/military.

Besides, during the Annexation Era, nearly 90% of policemen were Koreans and 80% of local parliament representatives were Koreans. Did those Koreans allow the Japanese police/military to take 200,000 young women to brothels? Are you saying Korean men were so chicken weaklings to see their women were taken by foreign people? At least Japanese men often resorted to fist-fights during the occupation by US Army.

Americans should ask themselves if this blame-shifting and smear campaign of baseless slander by Koreans is a right thing to do.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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