LDP lawmaker says 'comfort women' were prostitutes

Japan “is too much fooled by propaganda,”

Yeah, more often than not by it's own.

The only difference between this guy and the "prostitutes" is that they were forced into becoming sex-slaves and he willing became one when he decided to run as an LDP politician!

The height of ignorance.

Yet another fool trying to decide what is truth by which group he's a member of, rather than, you know, facts.

See, this is the very reason that many former South Korean sex slaves reject the recent offer of compensation. The apology that comes with it is meaningless, when twerps like this form the ruling party.

What do they mean by "lawmaker"? (Diet members generally don't make laws.)

Give the guy's title: member of the House of Representatives representing Chiba Prefectuyre in the Diet. Y'all from Chiba, you happy with this guy representing you?

More on this guy from Wiki:

Director, Committee on Rules and Administration

Member, Committee on Fundamental National Policies

Member, Deliberative Council on Political Ethics

Deputy Chairman, Diet Affairs Committee of LDP

Sakurada is a board member of the Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020), and serves as a political adviser to the Pachinko Chain Stores Association (PCSA).

At the very least, he should be booted from his Olympic post and from the ethics council.

Again, why do Korea and China never seem happy with Japan's apologies? This. Is. Why.

My comments could create misunderstanding. I sincerely apologise to those who were troubled.”

Which means he is not sorry for what he said, only that it got reported on and caused embarrassment for Dear Leader!

“We should not respond to every remark by a lawmaker,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the government’s top spokesman, said before the reported retraction,

Then keep your LDP cronies in line and tell them to shut their mouths on sensitive subjects!

Didn't the LDP tell EVERYBODY to keep their mouths shut? Of course the media, both Japan's and foreign will always ask about "Comfort Women" in the hopes that the person will say something that they can turn into news. As it did here. So one idiot shoots off his personal opinion, which he's forced to retract but the damage is done. The hatemongers will turn this into evidence that Abe's apology wasn't "sincere", even though Abe didn't say this. As proven below:

AsianGaijinYesWeExistJan. 15, 2016 - 07:31AM JST Again, why do Korea and China never seem happy with Japan's apologies? This. Is. Why.

Cherry picking posts and censorship.......whomever did this is just as bad as this guy. Prostituting themselves and covering their arse later.

Another thread shot to hell!

It is time to send out a clear message that the historic agreement is final, the apology genuine. Make a public example of Yoshitaka Sakurada, he is unfit to serve as a member of parliament.

However far be it from me to arbitrarily or 'proverbially' launch Yoshitaka Sakurada out of the Japan diet building. Disavow, disown, dismiss him as a member of the LDP and good riddance he won't be missed!!!

LDP lawmaker retracts statement that ‘comfort women’ were prostitutes

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/01/14/national/politics-diplomacy/ldp-lawmaker-retracts-statement-comfort-women-prostitutes/

I am all for free speech and everything but Japan generally prides itself on discipline and duty. It is always amazing to me that these old buffers in politics seem unable to maintain party discipline and seem incontinent with their opinions.

Some factions of Japanese society see themselves as being superior to other Asians. Hence the defeat of Japan in WWII is tough to swallow. They would reluctantly apologize and then under their breath retract that apology at the first opportunity.

Nothing short of a crushing defeat by the very hands of China and Korea during WWII could have convinced them that they are no better (or worse) as a people, compared to other Asians.

To them, it was the white people (Americans) who defeated them. Out of fear or respect, they would not defy the wishes of the Americans. But when it comes to the Koreans and Chinese, these rightist Japanese would never admit defeat or wrongdoing out of their own free will.

How does calling them prostitutes make it any less of a disgrace?

Evidently Sakurada thinks it's OK to go with prostitutes.

I wonder if his wife agrees.

But later in the day, he reversed course and retracted the remarks, saying in a statement reported by public broadcaster NHK: “My comments could create misunderstanding. I sincerely apologise to those who were troubled.”

What misunderstanding?

You flat out accused these women of being prostitutes. If it wern't for your higher ups, you would still be sticking by your disgusting statement.

That didn't take long. And of course, it will take even less time for people to try and spin it and say it is somehow South Korea's fault.

Oh wait!

OssanAmerica: "The hatemongers will turn this into evidence that Abe's apology wasn't "sincere", even though Abe didn't say this. As proven below:"

You see, it's not the lawmaker's fault -- not terrible or wrong what he said -- it is 'hatemongers' who are the problem here.

from good old Suga: "“We should not respond to every remark by a lawmaker,”"

Yes, we absolutely should, when it is hate speech and endangers agreements and so-called apologies made by your government, and by representatives of the people.

If the man is not IMMEDIATELY fired for these comments and the government does not apologize, they are only proving that the apology and the deal mean nothing to Japan. That's not 'hatemongering', Ossan, it's pointing out hate. Just because people are going to come on here and elsewhere, and absolutely no doubt in South Korea, to point the finger and say, "see?" does not make them any more wrong that if someone smashed your car window and then turned around and said, "I bet you the 'hatemonger' who owns this car will complain! Just watch!"

Is the "euphemistic expression" 'comfort women' used in South Korea. as the article states?

No woman and no girl is born as a prostituted or the sex-worker until the politician and business man decided to do so. If there is so-call prostitute, then surly there must be a pimp. This "Pimp" must be hold responsible for this on-going agony of these victims of the forced sex work. Apart from that, we all need to provide the healing mechanism for this painful episode. Because this is very painful for those who must go through this psychological stabbings again and again.

He is an elected official, he can't be 'fired.'

Even South Korea's foreign ministry publicly stated it's illogical to respond to every comment made by lawmaker. Why go after Suga when S.K. said the same thing?

The reality is the South Korean government is fully behind the recent "comfort women" deal and is heavily invested in it's successful implementation. The reasons are quite clear, security trumps morality. Each has bigger things to worry about and cooperation is essential.

South Korea and Japan need to work together to check an increasingly irrational N.K. and expansionist China. One stupid comment from a lawmaker will not get in the way of that, nor should it.

Top politicians in Japan like Sakurada make Donald Trump seem competent and enlightened by comparison. Even if he believes what he says, what would he have to gain by publicly announcing it? All I can guess is that these politicians still somehow believe that what they say in Japan will stay in Japan — saying one thing to the people of Japan, and the exact opposite to the rest of the world.

Sakurada, also a former senior vice minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology under Abe, said further that Japan “is too much fooled by propaganda,”

Sakurada is obviously well aware of how easily people in Japan are fooled by propaganda through his experience as education ministry vice minister in ensuring a "proper understanding" of Japan's history involving the comfort women and other blemishes on Japan's past.

I realize people will berate me for agreeing with him, but war causes so much stress and grief. Families trying to survive will do anything. If you read up on history of various wars, you will see that prostitution and black markets proliferated and actually helped keep economies alive and families intact. It is one of the horrors of wars, and it is sad and not right, but it happens. To deny that only the countries Japan fought did not have prostitution is ridiculous.

Sorry if I offended anyone, but read history please. WW II was no different than any other war.

The damage is DONE, Mr. Sakurada!!

shonanbb - who actually is denying prostitution didn't exist in war times? Who actually is denying prostitution didn't exist in other countries?

The heart of this matter is NOT prostitution, but the snaring of non-prostitutes, either by trickery or force, and then imprisoning them (they were not free to leave of their own accord) in quarters set aside for "comforting" the sexual desires of Japanese Imperial Army soldiers.

These particular girls and women were sexual slaves. Some other women may well have been prostitutes - but we are not talking about them in this instance.

Anyone who claims all, as Sakurada a very senior ldp member did, were prostitutes live entirely in a bubble of their own making.

Not surprising, but there is hope for Japan since he was immediately asked to retract his irresponsible remarks and apologies which he did. Progress.

The historical fact has nothing to do with the new deal, in which Japan agreed to give 10 B yen and another apology. It was just a political compromise.

A Japanese lawmaker Thursday said wartime sex slaves forced to work for Japan’s Imperial Army were “professional prostitutes”,

There was a book called "America's Geisha Ally" about post war Japan and the American occupation. In the book it describes how the post war Japanese government went looking for women to be the "pan pan" girls to service the occupation troops in the various locations around the bases in order to protect as they called it the "sanctity" of the rest of the Japanese female population. What was unique about this was that the Japanese government was serving up their own women to serve as "comfort women" to occupying GIs, and part of the society looking down on these women, yet along with the other Black market activities the post war economy needed the hard currency that these women were bringing into the devastated economy.

Korea is no better. They set up a "camp town" system also outside of the bases set up there after WW2 and the Korean war and they looked down on these women, and still do to this day, but at the time needed the hard currency that they were brining into the economy.

Forcing women to do this type of work in occupied lands is one thing and is wrong, but the IJA was a part of the government at the time, and if they were forcing women to do so, they are guilty of forcing women. I just think it is very hypocritical that both governments are blaming each other on this issue, but they don't want to look at their own history and see how they have treated these women. I guess the difference is as long as the tax man is being paid, it's not a comfort woman issue.

He wasn't speaking in public. He was in a closed door private meeting with ten other LSD members. Many people have private personal pov about many things. Haven't you ever said something behind close doors that was disparaging to blacks or Asians or white people or women or Jews or Hitler? I bet you have. Were you raked over the coals for your prejudice? Not at all. Let Sakurada be, in private meetings. In public address or oped in the Yomiuru, then he deserves criticism. Btw, who snitched on him? A kisha club reporter?

Alistair CarnellJAN. 15, 2016 - 07:17AM JST

See, this is the very reason that many former South Korean sex slaves reject the recent offer of compensation.

A "sex slave" is, by definition, a prostitute. It is interesting to see someone who calls them "sex slaves" is in disagreement with someone who calls them prostitutes. By the way, a prostitute may not be a "sex slave".

As I understand, the Japanese government apologized for the prostitution during WW2.

This is absolute evidence that Japan has some very stupid politicians.

The historical fact has nothing to do with the new deal, in which Japan agreed to give 10 B yen and another apology. It was just a political compromise.

So, the recent Japanese government declaration (in the deal made with Korea) was a lie?

A "sex slave" is, by definition, a prostitute.

In the same way that a prisoner is a tenant.

A "sex slave" is, by definition, a prostitute.

That's ridiculous. Just google the word prostitute and you will see the meaning is "a person, typically a woman, who engages in sexual activity for payment.". A slave, on the other hand, is typically someone forced to work without pay. The two are completely different.

A Prostitute is one who trades sexual service for compensation, in most cases money. How they ended up being prostitutes whether they were forced or willfully is a separate matter.

http://www.ibtimes.com/south-korea-thriving-sex-industry-powerful-wealthy-super-state-1222647

"Sex Slaves" on the other hand uses the term "Slave" which connotes no being forced into the position without compensation.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30573385

The anti-Japan crowd coined the term "Sex Slaves" for the "Comfort Women" who were, as stated in the US Army Report No49 from 1944, "Military Prostitutes".

“I don’t feel the need to respond to each reckless remark made by a shameless lawmaker,” foreign ministry spokesperson Cho June-Hyuck told a regular press briefing, stressing the issue is understood internationally to have marked a “grave human rights violation” against the women.

“What is important at this point is ensuring the victims are not scarred again and creating a mood to steadily implement the agreement.”

That is statesmanship. The LDP circus could learn from the example of their Seoul counterparts.

And the govt could relieve him of these posts, to show he's not in line with government policy:

Director, Committee on Rules and Administration Member, Committee on Fundamental National Policies Member, Deliberative Council on Political Ethics Deputy Chairman, Diet Affairs Committee of LDP Board member of the Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020),

He can keep his job as political adviser to the Pachinko Chain Stores Association (PCSA).

Ch3cho: "A "sex slave" is, by definition, a prostitute"

And Japanese wonder why they are so behind in human rights and women's rights' rankings. Rape victims are just whores, eh, Ch3cho?

Is it any wonder Japan has no friends? There are so many of these stupid old men that just say whatever idiotic thought comes into their tiny mind.

lol, they couldn't even wait 2 weeks to blast off on again about them Korean prostitutes.

Very sincere apology it was.

I think its time we just start calling Japanese politicians what they are: political whores. And, yes, that is probably true of politicians around the world.

OJISANAMERICA

The anti-Japan crowd coined the term "Sex Slaves" for the "Comfort Women" who were, as stated in the US Army Report No49 from 1944, "Military Prostitutes".

You know you really should stop seeing any criticism towards Japan as being 'anit-Japan' - it totally misrepresents these people's opinions and creates a dangerous 'us and them' mind-set that I think you and others have.

As a self conscious 5 year old I had a loathing for tag, or 'kiss chase', my English Grandfather took me to one side and advised me, cross my fingers and shout 'fainites and barley', a term of truce that herald immediate respite. It worked a treat in conjunction with a swinging leather satchel loaded with books. When in trouble, I applied the same logic minus the satchel, I sat there, bottom lip extended like a cash register, wobbling away tearfully apologizing, however behind my back fingers crossed, I was anything but repentant.

Clearly LDP Lawmaker Yoshitaka Sakurada J-version , 'fainites, barley, crosses, and kings' is a way of politically feigning liability, or accountability for one own dishonour and betrayal of the ruling LDP Government of Japan policy of a final and unequivocal atonement.

@browny:

he snaring of non-prostitutes, either by trickery

This is the part that is hearsay, as during any war, the same thing can be said afterwards by the losers to not just to try to get more compensation, should the winners decide to rebuild, but also to save face within society and amongst families.

Is it not better to say that one was forced to provide, than to say one did provide? I certainly would.

Kick him out of the party....Stupid dumb a$$!

So, the recent Japanese government declaration (in the deal made with Korea) was a lie?

The J govt only admitted the involvement of JIA but it did not specify in what. It also agreed to give 10 B yen to help the comfort women but not as compensation money.

It was Japan's effort to improve Japan-SK relation.

"The hatemongers will turn this into evidence that Abe's apology wasn't "sincere", even though Abe didn't say this."

He's still responsible for enforcing party discipline. This means booting people from plum positions when they don't toe the party line.

A "sex slave" is, by definition, a prostitute.

No it's not. A prostitute is someone who participates in sex as part of a business transaction. A sex slave has no say in the matter.

The anti-Japan crowd coined the term "Sex Slaves" for the "Comfort Women" who were, as stated in the US Army Report No49 from 1944, "Military Prostitutes".

It has nothing to do with being anti-Japan, and every thing to do with being anti sex-slave. I love Japan, and am very pro-Japan, yet I strongly condemn their inability to face up to their atrocities regarding the sex slaves of WWII.

Oh look. Bunch of apologists who first try defending Sakurada and the Japanese right-wingers, and then end up calling the comfort women prostitutes anyway. I am shocked. Shocked, I tell ya.

17 days, folks. It's been 17 days since the apology, and the Empire of Japan cronies couldn't even keep his mouth shut. That apology must feel really sincere right about now.

I wish US did not interfere. US is always on South Korea or China's side when it comes to history. I don't know if US is using SK/China or SK/China are using USA to make Japan's history as evil as possible to justify their own atrocities.

LDP lawmaker says 'comfort women' were prostitutes

Guess that is answering the question about the sincerity of the apology at the LDP faction.

Some people are so irredeemably stupid that if it weren't for the cushy job of "LDP lawmaker" they would be completely unemployable.

Tina:

I don't know if US is using SK/China or SK/China are using USA to make Japan's history as evil as possible to justify their own atrocities.

I agree. You are utterly confused.

OssanAmerica,

the hatemongers will turn this into evidence that Abe's apology wasn't "sincere", even though Abe didn't say this.

But Abe's apology ISN'T sincere, for Pete's sake! You know it, I know it, and you can be darned sure people on both sides of the Seas of Japan know it.

Abe has not been shy in the least expressing his disbelief that Japan did anything untoward during the WWII and this stance is a well established matter of public record.

Do you seriously believe he or any of his most ardent political supporters suddenly had a sea-change of heart and now truly believe the JIA created systematic rape stations throughout East Asia?

I don't believe he's changed his mind, and I don't think you do either.

The agreement was made for political expediency, and for no other reason. I also don't believe for a second that South Korean president Park Geun-hye is under any illusions that Abe suddenly changed his mind either. She too accepted the settlement for political expedience.

**Danny BloomJan. 15, 2016 - 09:34AM JST

He wasn't speaking in public. He was in a closed door private meeting with ten other LSD members.

So that's ok then! Sakurada tried to influence his fellow party members (other 'Lawmakers?') behind closed doors and clearly failing to accept the agreement Japan made with Korea. Nothing intended to be in public...all hush hush and secret plans and influence so no-one sees who is behind the 'unknown source' leaked to the press. And that is a Japanese 'lawmaker' is it? Perhaps instead of defining what is a prostitute (how would he know one when he saw one?) Mr Sakurada needs lessons in how to define a lawmaker. I understood they abided by laws and agreements and sought to change them by debate not by indulging in wishful thinking. What shame he not only brings on himself but also on Japan and all like him. Yes...for such assertions.....the test is his immediate dispatch into the political wilderness. I thought such people resigned when caught out being dishonerable? A modern Japan should have no place for such as his ilk. Slander, libel and snide remarks do not befit a responsible person and less so someone in his position.

He should have followed up that remark with his best Chris Rock, "Yeah, I said it!" and then give his best ドヤ顔 to the camera.

What a vicious, ignorant scumbag.

These dinosaurs have to go for the future of Japan, we need people that can work with other countries and when necessary do the hard things.

Their rose tinted view of the past not only is disgusting to the rest of the world it also belittles the trouble and loss Japan's own people have suffered at the hands of dogmatic and dangerous rulers.

Hey Tina, Hi again, not sure if you recall or have selective learning or bias against things that don't fall into your narrow purview but Japan unquestionably did some terrible things.. did other countries do terrible things... of that I have no doubt, however... the huge difference is most other countries and even many Japanese don't look back to that time as something to be proud of, or downplay at every opportunity.

Tina, no-one or no-thing is or should be above criticism, and the representatives of the government in the country where I live are absolutely in my sights.

This article is about some old man deluded in his own created reality who is stupid enough to let his nonsense thoughts out of his over entitled mouth, and he should be openly and clearly be treated as such.

This lawmaker should resign

tinawatanabeJAN. 15, 2016 - 10:50AM JST

I wish US did not interfere. US is always on South Korea or China's side when it comes to history. I don't know if US is using SK/China or SK/China are using USA to make Japan's history as evil as possible to justify their own atrocities.

Yes, there is a world conspiracy against Japan to make them seem terrible people during the war. Of course, the reality is Japan was in fact kind and generous to people during the war. All the authorities and massacres are simply made up. The world wants Japan to destroy itself and go away.

Now, where have I heard this kind of contrived thinking before... somewhere north of South Korea I believe.

This lawmaker should removed from his position - he is unfit for his role.

tinawatanabe

I wish US did not interfere. US is always on South Korea or China's side when it comes to history. I don't know if US is using SK/China or SK/China are using USA to make Japan's history as evil as possible to justify their own atrocities.

The US couldn't care less about Japan, SK, or China's history. As this article proves, nobody is better at making Japan look bad than Japanese politicians. You are so completely deluded... For the US, the US always comes first, and right now China poses a threat to their already diminished authority. If anything, the US wants SK and Japan to stop bickering already so they can stand united against China.

ah tina the one of the most fooled by Japans propaganda, I doubt shes ever ready a history book not written outside of Japan. I can tell you the mountain of evidence far outweighs any propaganda the Japanese right wingers could dream up.

Tinawatanabe: "I wish US did not interfere. US is always on South Korea or China's side when it comes to history. I don't know if US is using SK/China or SK/China are using USA to make Japan's history as evil as possible to justify their own atrocities."

Yup, everyone's fault but Japan's. The lawmaker is the victim here.

tinawatanabe: I wish US did not interfere. US is always on South Korea or China's side when it comes to history.

It'll be the USA or the threat of USA involvement keeping China out Japan when the Chinese feel they've built their muscles up enough to put paid to past Japanese offenses.

Still want the US to not interfere?

SK/China or SK/China are using USA to make Japan's history as evil as possible to justify their own atrocities. who said theyre justifying anything! except for Hitlers Nazis nobody slaughtered more people during WW2 than the IJA, this black stain will forever be in Japans history whether Japanese like it or not. But this doesnt mean Japan hasnt changed and is a very different country that it once was.

Looks I got it this right:

http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/s-korea-japan-reach-deal-on-wartime-sex-slaves-including-y1-bil-aid-fund#comment_2117297

StrangerlandJan. 15, 2016 - 10:42AM JST

The anti-Japan crowd coined the term "Sex Slaves" for the "Comfort Women" who were, as stated in the US Army Report No49 from 1944, "Military Prostitutes".

It has nothing to do with being anti-Japan, and every thing to do with being anti sex-slave. I love Japan, and am very pro-Japan, yet I strongly condemn their inability to face up to their atrocities regarding the sex slaves of WWII.

Then why do you call them "sex slaves" when not only did the US ARmy report No49 state that hey were "military prostitutes" and were not "slaves"?

This lawmaker is a fool! Not surprised, though. There are many of them here.

The anti-Japan crowd coined the term "Sex Slaves" for the "Comfort Women" who were, as stated in the US Army Report No49 from 1944, "Military Prostitutes".

No, the anti-sex-slave crowd coined the term 'Sex Slaves' for the 'Sex Slaves' because they were slaves, who were kept for the purpose of sex.

Then why do you call them "sex slaves" when not only did the US ARmy report No49 state that hey were "military prostitutes" and were not "slaves"?

Because they were slaves, kept for the purpose of sex. Why would you call someone who was a slave kept for the purpose of sex, as something other than a sex slave?

Let me try this again. Since this politician wants to refer to "comfort women" as "professional prostitutes", I think it is only fair that we be able to refer to him and other like him as "political prostitutes".

shonanbb - thank you.

Your use of the word "hearsay" is the crux of the problem.

The hearsay side says it's just unrefutable, unverifiable (show me the paper) talk. So they dismiss all and sundry.

The other side says it is real. Living witnesses give their accounts. So they accuse the "hearsay" side of cold-hearted avoidance.

The face saving you mentioned seems to be more appropriate for the hearsay crowd. I doubt women in their 80s & 90s would punish themselves so deeply at this stage of their lives to "save face".

Why did comfort women had 25 percent survival rate from treatment of IJA? As a government it is in their duties to acknowledge the wrongdoings of their forefathers and help prevent such things from occurring again. Unfortunately, the same history has countless, consistent denial by high-ranking Japanese officials denying that sadistic war time crimes ever took place. Japan has been unwavering in upholding as their national heroes, the war criminals of WWII, where their highest ranking officials pay official homage to. Japan has a different story of being the victim. Every year, and for many decades, visit by 100+ of top Japanese government officials to Yasukuni has not changed. This is far from being apologetic, but a slap in the face of the neighboring countries with a clear expression of "I'm not that sorry." Making a statement, then following it up with actions that go directly against this statement, naturally will not be taken at face value.

People like Sakurada really give Japan a bad name

but read history please. WW II was no different than any other war.

I would encourage you to read history to understand how WW II was different from other wars.

Ok for the sake of argument, lets say that these women were "professional" but how many of them had no choice but to be professional at this life because the were taken by force by Japanese forces at that period in time. What recourse is there for any woman including our own Japanese women had they been in that situation and forced into this way of life other than to commit suicide. I mean take a look at the raped women in Osaka and what do their family members and others look at her, and to say a woman was asking for it may not have been the entire case. On the flip side though, to the victor goes the spoils as in in any war.

Dudes, seems none of you know that those 46 old women hate being called sex slaves so much. They always call themselves ianfu=comfort women.

@shonanbb I think it is absolutely unnecessary to say sorry for commenting what you believe.

Its because of people like that who gives stupid comments that some countries in South East Asia find it difficult to regard Japan's apology as being sincere. I hope the Japanese government will take a firm stand on this matter.

Dudes, seems none of you know that those 46 old women hate being called sex slaves so much. They always call themselves ianfu=comfort women.

Supporting evidence please.

OssanAmericaJAN. 15, 2016 - 12:05PM JST StrangerlandJan. 15, 2016 - 10:42AM JST

The anti-Japan crowd coined the term "Sex Slaves" for the "Comfort Women" who were, as stated in the US Army Report No49 from 1944, "Military Prostitutes".

You know, criticism does not equal 'anti'. That is a Japanese concept I believe. I am sure that the majority of people who are critical of Japan do so BECAUSE they love the nation and it's people and want to see it do better (like me). As a Japanese, don't you?

This lawmaker should make a public apology and promise to not make such comments again.

The statement was retracted...

No, actually. It wasn't retracted. A retraction is defined as reversing or refuting the original statement.

“My comments could create misunderstanding. I sincerely apologise to those who were troubled.”

Look at the content of this "apology." It's clearly not a retraction or any sort. Rather, it's Sakurada making the asshat move of effectively blaming his audience for being unfathomably offended.

He's a troll and should go.

I had thought that the comfort women issue was settled once and for all when the Asahi Shimbun admitted fabricating facts about the "forced prostitution" and apologized.

Reading those misguided comments on this page, I was dismayed to see that how difficult it is for a nation to put right false accusations and clear its name.

It's obvious that most of the contributors are just repeating what they have read or heard in the papers and on TV. I don't blame them though. They are just misled by biased media of their own countries.

I just want you to rmember the civilized rule that it is the accuser, and not the accused, that has to present accusing evidence.

MeiyouwentiJAN. 15, 2016 - 01:42PM JST

I had thought that the comfort women issue was settled once and for all when the Asahi Shimbun admitted fabricating facts about the "forced prostitution" and apologized. Reading those misguided comments on this page, I was dismayed to see that how difficult it is for a nation to put right false accusations and clear its name. It's obvious that most of the contributors are just repeating what they have read or heard in the papers and on TV. I don't blame them though. They are just misled by biased media of their own countries. I just want you to rmember the civilized rule that it is the accuser, and not the accused, that has to present accusing evidence.

Umm, your own prime minister has acknowledged that the comfort women is not a fabrication and offered and apology and money as compensation recently. Did you miss that?!

"He's a troll and should go"

There are a lot of loud-mouthed attention-seeking trolls in Japan...

@starngerland.

just do it yourself from next time for your picking holes

http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20120716002004

http://ianfukangaeru.blogspot.jp/2012/07/blog-post_16.html

Ianfu is also Korean word 위안부. There were many ianfus for Korean Military and even more for US/UN military up until 80's, they were always called ianfu, which all of you hypocrites conviniently neglect.

Meiyouwenti: I had thought that the comfort women issue was settled once and for all when the Asahi Shimbun admitted fabricating facts about the "forced prostitution" and apologized.

Well.

Asahi Shimbun admitted to ONE outside writer faking accounts from ONE island in Korea, Jeju-do, didn't they?

So here you go. Including three accounts, none of them from Koreans on Jeju-do (first is from a half-Korean-half-Japanese born in Tokyo, second is from a Filipina, third is from a Taiwanese):

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Japanese_Military%27s_%22Comfort_Women%22_System

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/asahi-apologizes-for-erroneous-fukushima-comfort-women-reports#comment_1849213

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/asahi-apologizes-for-erroneous-fukushima-comfort-women-reports#comment_1848658

http://fightforjustice.info/?page_id=3132&lang=en

http://www.awf.or.jp/e3/oralhistory-00.html

... to Zaoqiang. There she was forced to be a comfort woman for the Japanese military. ... we took ride on a train. It stopped for two hours at Shanhaiguan at which point myself and Yoshiko attempted to escape. But the exits were blocked by military police. ... When we got off the train at Tianjin, fully armed soldiers were waiting for us with a truck, a coach and a jeep. ... How did I feel? I felt as if we were taken here to be killed. I could not but weep. No one talked. All were weeping. That night we slept there and in the morning we were put in those rooms. Soldiers came to my room, but I resisted with all my might. The first soldier wasn't drunk and when he tried to rip my clothes off, I shouted "No!" and he left. The second soldier was drunk. He waved a knife at me and threatened to kill me if I didn't do what he said. But I didn't care if I died, and in the end he stabbed me. ... He was taken away by the military police ... I was treated in the infirmary for twenty days. ... In the comfort station in Shijiazhuang: When the soldiers came back from the battlefields, as many as 20 men would come to my room from early morning. ...

... They rounded up little girls still in school. ... The soldiers made Chinese laborers lay straw in the trenches and the girls were put in there. There was no bedding... When someone died the girls got scared and began to cry. Then everyone in the trenches was poisoned and they closed up the trench. They dug another trench next to it.

Testimony II Maria Rosa Henson (Philippines) ... In April 1943 she was arrested by Japanese at a check point in the suburbs of Angeles and taken to the garrison. There she was forced to be a comfort woman. She spent the next nine months of her life in this way. ... At times, we would be brought to some quarters or houses of the Japanese. I remembered the Pamintuan Historical House. We were brought there several times. You cannot say no as they will definitely kill you. During the mornings, you have a guard. You are free to roam around the garrison, but you cannot get out. ...

Testimony III A Taiwanese victim: ... I was helping my father's business at home. One day, the Japanese police called and told me to come because they had a job for me. They said that I would be preparing meals and mending torn clothes for the soldiers. ... So I went to work. I saw many Japanese soldiers. ... We got up in the morning, washed our faces and cooked breakfast to feed the soldiers. We washed their clothes and mended torn clothes. Then, at night, we were called and confined to a room. ...it was a terrible job. I was only weeping. ... I wished to flee away, but I did not know the way. Soldiers were standing at the gates. If you fled, you would be shot. ...

It'll be the USA or the threat of USA involvement keeping China out Japan when the Chinese feel they've built their muscles up enough to put paid to past Japanese offenses. Still want the US to not interfere?

Nothing to do with security issue. Japan has been telling South Korea that comfort women and other historical issues are settled by the peace treaty, but SK always tries to involve US in making Japan apologize many times. You should check how many times US congress or assemblies are voting resolution demanding Japan apologize even seven decades after war. Is it what a law abiding county should be doing? US has power over SK. Why can't US just say to SK that it is a settled issue if it isn't in fact US that wants SK behave that way?

tinawatanabe

You should check how many times US congress or assemblies are voting resolution demanding Japan apologize even seven decades after war. Is it what a law abiding county should be doing? US has power over SK. Why can't US just say to SK that it is a settled issue if it isn't in fact US that wants SK behave that way?

If Japan's apology was genuine and the matter has already been settled, why do Japanese politicians send representatives to US text book publishers to convince them to whitewash their text? It's not just SK that's trying to get the US involved.

tinawatanabe: even seven decades after war. Is it what a law abiding county should be doing?

It isn't that long since the Nikkei got US Congress to pony up reparations for wartime relocation to camps.

Japan got away with murder and paid minimal reparations and that to a government not to the people involved, and made a few apologies they keep going back on.

Stranger land: "Why would you call someone who was a slave kept for the purpose of sex, as something other than a sex slave?"

Because Japan did it, and Japan can do no wrong (don't say otherwise of you're a basher!). China-backed Japan ripped the words out of this lawmaker's mouth, we misinterpreted it, and South Korea is to blame for the whole issue -- you think it's Japan's fault they raped people?

"I wish US did not interfere. US is always on South Korea or China's side when it comes to history. I don't know if US is using SK/China or SK/China are using USA to make Japan's history as evil as possible to justify their own atrocities."

Yeah, you are right, and everyone else in the world is wrong. So when were you bestowed with divine truths from above when so many of as are in the (ignorant) dark?

just do it yourself from next time for your picking holes

http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20120716002004

I can't read Korean. Please translate this.

http://ianfukangaeru.blogspot.jp/2012/07/blog-post_16.html

You expect me to trust a blog called 'ianfukangaeru' as proving that the sex slaves hate being called sex slaves? Sorry, give me a reliable link, not the opinion of a hack on the internet.

Ianfu is also Korean word 위안부.

So? That doesn't mean that the sex-slaves hate being called sex slaves.

On the subject of the terms ianfu and sex slave, I can confirm (via Korean friends) that in Korea the term used is indeed the same as the Japanese term, 위안부 (pronounced more like 'wianbu'). The use of the term in Korea and by the victims themselves of course does not amount to agreement with the opinions of Mr Sakurada!

Japan, how surprising, NOT! Shooting yourself in the foot for the millionth time I see!!!

The ldp twit should be fired(if not possible) then kicked out of the ldp!

His retraction is NOT a retraction its an INSULT!!!

THIS is why the statue in front of the embassy in Seoul needs to STAY!

I have an idea, the original stays, if in 15yrs time from TODAY Japan shows REAL sincerity, it can be moved. HOWEVER, from now on when some fool talks lies about the sex slaves, then ANOTHER statue is added.

If someone in Japan does something good, one is removed, when the original sits by ITSELF for 15years, THEN Japan can say they have earned some consideration & maybe it can be moved

But hey what do you think the chances Japan would even get past a year let alone 15!!!!!

These fossils believe what they blurt out. No apology will change that. This is yet another example of the Abe crew of putting on the good spin despite not believing a word of it. They do this because in most cases it works with the public and then behind closed doors they can say or do what they really want. Abe learned his lessons when he lost the PM position the first time. He is damaging Japan and the Japanese people are letting him do it unfortunately.

Japan's politician have been making too many excuses. They need to get it together as Representative of Japan.****

Groan! Every time this seems to be solved, one of the troglodytes just has to come out with an idiotic comment like this and go back to zero again. It is just exasperating.

Now Japan owes South Korea and the former sex-slaves ANOTHER apology -- this time for the insult on top of the insincerity of Abe's apology. Not that any apology would mean anything, obviously. Some posters on here, like Ossan, tinawatanabe, and DieRealityCheck, owe us all an apology as well. It's absolutely shocking that they would call kidnapping and rape victims prostitutes. Imagine if it were a Japanese young woman kidnapped and abused by say, North Korea or somewhere, and she was called a prostitute who was well paid -- suddenly they'd be furious and demanding apologies and justice, and STILL wouldn't be able to see the hypocrisy.

Presumably some of them were both slaves and prostitutes. According to e.g. Soh's book http://www.amazon.com/The-Comfort-Women-Postcolonial-Sexuality/dp/0226767779 the vast majority were indentured prostitutes who, like all indentured labourers, are slaves. But, since it was not the women themselves but their families who received the up-front payment, depending upon their awareness, many may simply have been sold into slavery.

then ANOTHER statue is added. The embassy will end up surrounded by statues.

Thanks turbotsat, for your extensive quotes and online references. But no amount of hearsay testimonials can prove wrongdoing. You need unrefutable hard facts.

You might find this interesting: http://eng.the-liberty.com/2014/5641/

By Ossan's logic, if I lure him to with promise of employment, lock him up in the basement with rapists and throw some shekels at him, he's a prostitute, not a sex slave.

The key element is whether the women could choose to enter and leave their so-called "profession" and choose their so-called "customers".

He's one man with a big gob... I would think most normal people would roll their eyes and ignore him. You will always have a politician with a runaway mouth and spouts verbal diarrhoea, no matter how sensitive the subject. Sack him and move on... that's what they do here with Westminster Muppets who eat their own feet.

Meiyouwentei: "I just want you to rmember the civilized rule that it is the accuser, and not the accused, that has to present accusing evidence."

Unless of course it is a Japanese lawmaker accusing South Korea of lying and the women of being nothing but whores -- then you suddenly believe it is the accuser who is correct, and the media believable.

Mr Yoshitaka Sakurada which one of the 3 prize moneys are you? or what about all 3?

Whenever a Japanese official apologizes, another one denies it. No wonder the Chinese and Koreans keep on demanding sincere apology from Japan. Japanese of conscience keep apologizing, and Japanese right wingers keep denying. This give impression that the apologies were not sincere and the victims keep demanding for sincere apology. This cycle has no end in sight. It is typical vague comments by Japanese politicians which are meant to satisfy both parties in an issue. So, if you expect an apology over the matter you are clearly going to be disappointed. When the Japanese politician apologizes, take it with a grain of salt. They were only trying to make “people think they apologized" but it is not their real intention.

That era is over and Japan’s economy will continue to shrink and its population decline as both China and South Korea rise in power and stature. But as long as Japan’s leaders continue living in the past, they will struggle to prepare their country for its future.

I just want you to rmember the civilized rule that it is the accuser, and not the accused, that has to present accusing evidence.

That only applies in a court of law. There's no trial happening here, so "innocent until proven guilty" is irrelevant. The historical record is pretty unambiguous. There is an ample amount of eye-witness testimony. You can only disregard these testimonies if you have a rational reason to do so. So let's apply Occam's razor. Which do you think is the more likely scenario?

A: The Imperial Japanese Army rampaged across Asia, committing atrocity after atrocity, but somehow despite baby-bayonetting contests in Nanking and Unit 731 murdering thousands through medical experimentation on prisoners and "undesirables", we're to believe that the IJA was meticulously ethical in its procurement of prostitutes but oh, oops, all the records of their totally legal and willing procurement were lost in a fire, and everyone who says we forced them is just a money-hunting lying whore, or

B: That many of the people who say they were forced into sexual slavery aren't lying, and people inventing defenses for this sad era of Japanese history are just making up excuses to save face.

There comes a point when parties demanding benefit of the doubt need to get out of their recliners and take some action to show they deserve it.

I can imagine this clown being told to issue an apology by LDP taskmasters. This would be followed by winks and pats on his shoulder.

Whether these girls were prostitutes or not, when Abe paid for them, they became whores.

Knew it was only a matter of time before one of these oyajis put their foot in their mouth. Franky, I was wondering what took so long. Who is next? Somewhere in the government, some oyaji is about to lift his foot...

That era is over and Japan’s economy will continue to shrink and its population decline as both China and South Korea rise in power and stature. But as long as Japan’s leaders continue living in the past, they will struggle to prepare their country for its future.

Do you understand the irony of that statement? It's Korea and China that're living in the past, constantly bleating about this or that.

Anyway, as I said above, he's one man who can't stop himself... hardly an indication that Japan didn't really apologise. Some people will clutch at any straw as long as it allows them to keep the embers glowing.

Thunderbird you are in deep denial about the LDP deep delusion of their history of WW2 and the occupation of much of Asia. Do you think decades of colonisation of Korea by Japan was imaginary as well. Many LDPers have stated that Japan made Korea better by forcing them to only speak Japanese. No Koreans would agree with that. You are a part of the problem just as much as the ojisans in the LDP that want to return to the good old days of the 1930s.

Some were prostitutes, some weren't. Some were taken from their families by force, some were sold by their own families. Some were recruited by Korean people, some by Japanese. Needless to say, generalizations like the one Sakurada used certainly don't help.

“professional prostitutes”, before he was forced to retract the remarks and issue an apology

Ohh boy . . . those statues ain't ever coming down!!

What a fiasco of "apology" BS. Abe came into power running on platform to rescind the Kono statement and then claimed that Comfort Women were "willing" prostitutes calling surviving women and those who died from Korea, China, Philippines, Australia, Netherlands, Malaysia, all liars. Abe then celebrates the "apology" with statements about how Japan won't be hassled by the issue. Then this clown MP repeats the moronic denial again. Japan obvious does not feel "apologetic" about anything since its leaders don't even think Japan did anything wrong. It must be some Japanese zen magic to deny and apologize at the same time. I didn't do it but I'm sorry it happened but I didn't do it.

Nothing more foolish than a politician like Yoshitaka Sakurada trying to change history about a subject that he has no personal knowledge of. Of course Japan is hardly the only country whose politicians try to rewrite history to fit their political needs We commonly see this in the United States as well.

Sure these women were made into prostitutes by Japanese Imperialsts. Sakurada and his fellow halfwits are exactly the kind goons these women probably had to deal with...

Apologies are stupid and useless, especially when they are said by parties other than those who actually made the transgression in the first place. Just stop asking for one people, cuz it'll never be good enough anyway. Korea, you can't have what you really want, which is the return of your dignity. Those whom you're asking it from don't have it to give. Your constant bitching and moaning is simply becoming background noise. For get a bout it!!!

As I said before, it didn't take the Japanese government long to get back to business as usual -- playing the game of honne/tatemae in an endless cycle of apology for sexual slavery followed by backtracking followed by apology for the backtracking followed by apology for sexual slavery followed by... ad nauseam. At least one good thing is coming out of this: after this the Koreans won't feel bound to honor the Comfort Women Sexual Slavery "Deal" any more, either.

@Strangerland

I gave you two links. One in Korean and the other in Japanese. Japanese one is not his opinion but translation of korean news paper. Now telling me to translate just for you to place any blame on me? You read neither korean nor Japanese but still pretend you know everything, very typical who only reads english and trust english-writen documents only.

Stay ignorant

If Japan was truly apologetic and remorseful, then they'd teach their own people the truth. Obviously that's not the case. This LDP lawmaker, the fact that they had conditions of the statue removal, etc etc.....There's no use or hope.

Is Japan still trying to justify it's past wrongs still? Eventhough the current generation is not responsible for doing this past crime themselves?

Is Japan still trying to justify it's past wrongs still?

They're always acting like this. There is no accountability in the gov . . . and the legacies are passed onto the next generation of japanese.

Of course they were prostitutes. But you can't say that; it is not politically correct.

Of course most were willing prostitutes. Just like most Korean soldiers fighting for Imperial Japan did so willingly. If the Japanese had really wanted to run a massive sex slavery organization, they would have taken women from recently conquered territories, not their most important colony.

Some of them may have been professionals however we don't know who were and who weren't so brushing all of them with the same brush is just wrong. He should have qualified his remarks however as he has no concrete number as to how many of the women forced and and how many volunteered he shouldn't have raised the issue.

Also, if they were paid professionals, are there financial records that the army has kept? There must be proof of the payment made to the "professionals".

hard to discipline him, or kick him out of politics when the majority of the population agrees with what he's saying

there is not the compensation responsibility, by "Japan-ROK Basic Relations Treaty"; finally, it was settled already. to leave of the current prices, Japan had abandon vast assets equivalent to 13,348,600 million yen. Furthermore, Korean received , a payment cooperation fund 500 million dollars (elsewhere private cooperation fund 300 million dollars) https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1050709934968715&set=o.495880120473974&type=3&theater

it was hauled women by any Korean.

The Japanese military admitted a comfort station. A Korean introduction supplier sometimes used forcible means and managed an offer, mediation and ran a comfort station. To a comfort woman The reward of the big gap was paid for the women those days.

東亜-Ilbo of June 30, 1933. The article that a girl was abducted on a street by Korean, and was sold to the broker of the pimp. The Korean police arrested man and woman for instruction of Government General of Korea. 東亜-Ilbo of August 31, 1939. In 奉天 of Manchurian The article that let detectives hurry from Pusan as the corrupt introduction supplier of the Korean was prominent, and more than 100 farm village women characteristics kidnapped . It was a lie to lose the Hangul Alphabet and found for most of the articles the Hangul Alphabet which Japan diffused . At the time, licensed prostitution is legal, It was labor-based commercial contracts when viewed from remuneration. https://sites.google.com/site/hauledwomen/