Philippines' WWII sex slaves demand justice from Japan

Too bad some of her countrymen are all too quick to trip over themselves cozying up to Japan, having forgotten the plight of those women.

So sad but true AsianGaijin!

Whaaaat? B-b-b-b-b-but I thought Indonesia LOVED Japan! like Taiwan before they also recently stepped up, and like many other nations demanding Japan acknowledge wrong doings! Oh, wait, some posters on here and other wingers in denial will say this is all a Chinese and South Korean-backed conspiracy to make Japan look bad, and they were all just well-paid whores... except that not even that is true because South Korea fabricated the whole thing... do I have that about right?

Prove that you were raped. Are we just supposed to take your word for it just because you are old enough to have been there? let's see your evidence before you demand anything.

These women had trauma of what had happened to them and surely their plight will never be washed away from their minds. I am personally very sorry for them and I can't help but cry while reading it. However, Japan has been very apologetic and has been begging for forgiveness. Those armies who slaved them would have been very sorry if they were all alive. I hope and I pray that despite the sufferings during those days we Filipinos will be somehow bestow forgiveness. I know it is easy to say and very hard to do for those who are in the situation but still human as we are, we can't always hold grief and anger for the rest of our lives if we want to be free. If GOD gave forgiveness to those who have sinned against others and HIM, why can't we? :(

I pray that all the concerned women would be able to find peace and justice.

Cleveryani,

Japan has been very apologetic and has been begging for forgiveness.

Really?

In 2008, Abe denied that the sex slave issue ever happened. Recently, caving in to international pressure and in an attempt to get a rather embarrassing statue removed from the front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Abe gave a sort of apology and scattered largess. But "beg forgiveness?" No, his pride wouldn't allow that.

I pray that all the concerned women would be able to find peace and justice.

Completely agree.

cleveryani: "However, Japan has been very apologetic and has been begging for forgiveness."

You're joking, right? When you say the word 'compensation' about the money Japan is offering for South Korea to not mention this issue again, people like tinawatanabe get VERY upset and state very adamantly it is NOT compensation -- it is a pay off! Just after the 'apologies' you mention you have lawmakers say during meetings that the women like those above were all 'paid prostitutes', and deny any coercion on the part of Japan -- something many people here agree with. No, no no... VERY far from begging or apology.

tinawatanabe: "How do we know everything she says is truth? She may be hired by South Koreans. At least one picture above shows Koreans."

Right on cue! and just as I said you would say (or at least, your ilk).

BertieWooster

In 2008, Abe denied that the sex slave issue ever happened.

There was no evidence or documents that ex-Japanese military ordered to kidnap these women and force them to be a sex slaves. Only cases done by individuals, not as a whole miitary. and they were already punished.

And Of course that doesn't make this issue any less tragedy, and Abes descision to pay further compensation is a good idea, although the war compensation issue was already settled long time ago among both sides of goverments at that time.

And If I might add, what hasn't been settled is the korean comfort women who served US military sexually after WW2 and its lawsuit.

hachikouJAN. 26, 2016 - 05:02PM JSTThere was no evidence or documents that ex-Japanese military ordered to kidnap these women and force them to be a sex slaves. Only cases done by individuals, not as a whole miitary. and they were already punished.

Comparing notes of denials by Japanese politicians of "comfort women" issues, how do you explain the evidence of the Dutch women whose testimony of sexual enslavement in the then Dutch East Indies? To be sure it had been preceded by a long series of denials in Japan government, but the main allegations had been proved in a Dutch court under Western rules of evidence as far back as 1948. That court, which had been convened in what was then the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), had considered allegations that Japanese army officers had forced many Dutch women seized in the Dutch East Indies into sexual slavery. One Japanese military official was executed and many others were sentenced to jail terms. The Dutch went on in 1956 successfully to press the J-government to pay compensation to the women. In 1985 details of the comfort women story were published in an official Dutch government history of the war. Maybe Philippines and Koreans could compare notes.

cleveryani:

Japan has been very apologetic and has been begging for forgiveness.

Which planet are you living on? One of the very few who seems genuinely sorry and has followed his words with actions was former PM Murayama. Most of the LDP including Abe, and a few of the female ones are far from apologetic. On the surface Abe has to sound a bit apologetic because he knows trade with South Korea and China will plummet otherwise. Just check out Yushukan museum to find out what these people really think. And the gaffes from top politicians that usually follow any speech resembling a vague apology.

I'm not saying that this kind of thing didn't happen, but will Japan have to pay off every old Filipina just because they claimed to have been forced to be comfort women? Shouldn't there be evidence first?

sensei258: "I'm not saying that this kind of thing didn't happen..."

You are, actually -- and giving a nation that has CONSTANTLY lied, and still does, the benefit of the doubt. There has been heaps of proof given, as well as testimony by former IJA that engaged in the kidnappings, but they are told by people who were never their that they have 'faulty memories', etc.

"...but will Japan have to pay off every old Filipina"

EVERY old Filipina? How many Filipinas are there? How many are claiming to have been sex slaves, bud? Need a dictionary for 'every'?

sfjp330-san

With all respect, we are not stupid. Japanese people are not stupid nor bad people.

how do you explain the evidence of the Dutch women whose testimony of sexual enslavement in the then Dutch East Indies?

yes yes yes ... Of course we know that. That case has been veeery well known and discussed long time ago in Japan, one of important topic dicussed among Japanese. It is called "白馬事件(Shi-Ro-U-Ma Incident)".

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%99%BD%E9%A6%AC%E4%BA%8B%E4%BB%B6

This is the crime done by ex-J-officer,大久保朝雄 O-kubo, with a direct involvement, but not by whole J-military or ex J goverment. One of vitcims's father told the other officer,小田島董大佐 Odajima for help,and this is how they found out. Odajima told to shut down the house, and Okubo later commited suicide.

Again, I say, that was a crime done by individuals, but not by a goverment. Just like Okinawa girls or its local people were raped or killed by some US Solidiers in Okinawa, but that is not like they were ordered by US goverment, right? Still, Japan paid compensation and it was setttled.

By the way, I always think that, what former dutch woman said is very smart one. SHe said... "Oh you cannot do this to me! That is against Jeneva Convention! "

You see? She didn'T say, "Oh you cannot do this to me! That is not right thinng to do!"

WHy? Bcause they were also deeply involved in invasion and explotation of other coutries. I mean why were dutch people living in Asia in the first place?? So she avoided using the word, righr or wrong but she used the word "against agreement".

sensei258: "I'm not saying that this kind of thing didn't happen..."

You are, actually

No I'm not. "I'm not saying that this kind of thing didn't happen..." is another way to say yes, it happened, but my point is something else.

"...but will Japan have to pay off every old Filipina"

EVERY old Filipina? How many Filipinas are there? How many are claiming to have been sex slaves, bud? Need a dictionary for 'every'?

" will Japan have to pay off every old Filipina" is another way to ask "How many people will Japan have to pay before this is over?". Or did you actually think I meant every old Filipina, including my mother-in-law?

Need a dictionary for sarcasm bud?

It can't be!! I thought it was just the 'evil' Koreans! Have they persuaded other Asian nations? No, Japan's widespread wartime aggression is starting to reemerge. Time for Japan to take bold steps.

I would like Japan to put an end to these historical agony.

It's only China and Korea that have BAD relations with Japan because of this issue. It does exist also in other Asian countries but it doesn't compromise their relations with Japan. So it's nonsense to say that Philippine, Taiwan, Vietnam act like Korea and China.

Sensei258: "No I'm not. "I'm not saying that this kind of thing didn't happen..." is another way to say yes, it happened, but my point is something else."

Yes, you are. "I'm not saying that this kind of thing didn't happen" is a way to avoid saying it did, plain and simple.

And no, I don't need a dictionary for sarcasm, but you do, obviously. Or, are you saying you have contempt for and are deriding these women whom, "something bad may have happened to"?

But, I know, Sensei... The nerve of women who were forced into sexual slavery to put a nation that denies it in the spotlight again for doing so! How dare they, right?

Now THAT is sarcasm, bud.

Philippines' WWII sex slaves demand justice from Japan

Good luck with that. With the current Govt, at best you could eventually get money if you embarrass Japan enough but never justice and a sincere apology, the only way to get justice will be to bring Japan to some international court.

Mr. hachikou

we are not stupid. Japanese people are not stupid nor bad people.

With all due respect, I must confess that I am stupid although I am Japanese. And there are ignorant and narrow minded people in any country in my opinion and Japan is not an exception at all in this regard.

Very sorry for this stupid comment.

I genuinely believe that Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress are best placed to deliver and express heartfelt atonement, remorse for the shameful atrocities committed by the Armed Forces of the Empire of Japan prior to and during the Second World War.

Time for Abe to "apologize" again.

There must be some forces or countries behind her in an attempt to obstruct stronger Japan-Philipphine relation.

@hachikou

There was no evidence or documents that ex-Japanese military ordered to kidnap these women and force them to be a sex slaves.

Gee, I wonder why that is? Couldn't be that said documentation was torched, along with the hundreds of thousands of civilians killed, could it? Do you have any idea the savagery committed by the JIA in WWII? Any idea at all?

Couldn't be that said documentation was torched, along with the hundreds of thousands of civilians killed, could it?

Or dogs ate them. You can't blame somebody from "Couldn't be, coud it?"

sighclopsJan. 26, 2016 - 10:55PM JST @hachikou "There was no evidence or documents that ex-Japanese military ordered to kidnap these women and force them to be a sex slaves."

Gee, I wonder why that is

Because it didn't exist. All during and Immediately after WWII the United States bent over backwards trying to find every piece of damning evidence to use against Japan at the International Tribunal for the Far East. Zero evidence was found other than the incident in Indonesia which was tried. Ironically the IJA themselves had investigated it during the war and Court Martialed the responsible Japanese officer. The idea that the IJA "kidnapped 200,000" women and made them "sex slaves" is a 1990s creation and a revision of actual history.

Why should they be given compensation? This is as hollow as when Greece demanded compensation from Germany.

tinawatanabeJAN. 26, 2016 - 10:11PM JST

There must be some forces or countries behind her in an attempt to obstruct stronger Japan-Philipphine relation.

Yeah, or maybe she just suffered under Japan's wartime aggression?

Do you really believe your own conspiracy theories Tina, or is there a small part of you that realizes that what Japan did during the war needs to be addressed more openly, and humanly rather than defensiveness.

Yeah, or maybe she just suffered under Japan's wartime aggression?

and she has to say this at Emperor's visit?

tinawatanabe: "here must be some forces or countries behind her in an attempt to obstruct stronger Japan-Philipphine relation."

You've already stated and had the comment deleted TWICE that you, as usual, think South Korea or China hired the woman to try and make Japan look bad. There's a reason those comments were deleted, and that reason is because such misdirected blame and anger is not only off-topic, it's plain ridiculous. The woman was kidnapped and raped. Don't blame 'others' -- blame the Japanese government of the time, where the blame lies, and the IJA with it.

"and she has to say this at Emperor's visit?"

Why not? The Emperor knows Japan has committed atrocities and rapes, and has openly admitted it and apologised for the horrors committed during war, even against the Imperial Household Agency. This woman has been trying for years to get people like you to listen, and Abe, and clearly you are only ready to deny and accuse this woman of lying and being a puppet of the countries you hate most, instead of admitting what Japan did and honestly addressing the woman. So, yes, if she can make her voice heard by a reasonable Japanese person who carries a lot of weight, then why would she NOT speak up now?

What are you going to do when the Emperor hears her and apologises on behalf of Japan, tina? That's REALLY going to burst your bubble!

There must be some forces or countries behind her

Utter anti-Japan-conspiracy theory nonsense.

It seems that some posters are in doubt about the "comfort women" issue. This is an excerpt from an article that appeared last year in the Japan Times:

In his memoir, “The Neverending Navy,” former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and staunch LDP member described his wartime experiences managing troops: “After a while, some of the soldiers began to attack the women and gamble. So I took great efforts to build a comfort station.”

Read the whole article:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/11/01/national/media-national/uncomfortable-truth-comfort-women/#.VqeOaMfO76s

Cleveryani

However, Japan has been very apologetic and has been begging for forgiveness.

"It's regrettable that you feel the need to defend whores that doesn't even exist in the first place. Here, have some money and shut up." -> doesn't really sound too apologetic to me.

hachikou

Only cases done by individuals, not as a whole miitary. and they were already punished.

Yeah, they were punished by entrapping their souls in the Yasukini Shrine for all eternity.

With all respect, we are not stupid. Japanese people are not stupid nor bad people.

No irony there....

Alex80

It's only China and Korea that have BAD relations with Japan because of this issue. It does exist also in other Asian countries but it doesn't compromise their relations with Japan. So it's nonsense to say that Philippine, Taiwan, Vietnam act like Korea and China.

Yeah, that really explains how Japan's trade with China and Korea is bigger than the rest of the countries you mentioned. Or how Chinese and Korean tourists make up the largest visitors to Japan. China and Korea's leverage as nations is just a small as that of Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam....

For non-Japanese people out there, you're not smart enough to determine that my comments are sarcastic.

Yes, you are. "I'm not saying that this kind of thing didn't happen" is a way to avoid saying it did, plain and simple.

I told you exactly what I meant by what I said, and you're telling me I'm wrong?

are you saying you have contempt for and are deriding these women

No, but you are saying that I am, and that doesn't make it so.

Reading this made me extremely angry. She was only 14! And Philippines will never get compensated until they are economically powerful enough to stand up to Japan, and by then, these women will be dead. Makes me sad how humans can be so cruel to each other.

again?? this issue will never end.

letsberealisticJan. 26, 2016 - 11:54PM JST "Because it didn't exist. All during and Immediately after WWII the United States bent over backwards trying to find every piece of damning evidence to use against Japan at the International Tribunal for the Far East. Zero evidence was found other than the incident in Indonesia which was tried. Ironically the IJA themselves had investigated it during the war and Court Martialed the responsible Japanese officer. The idea that the IJA "kidnapped 200,000" women and made them "sex slaves" is a 1990s creation and a revision of actual history."

Oh yes, of course, Japan's wartime autocracies are all just made to be mean to Japan. Look you are forgetting that >women like this one are eye-witnesses to Japan's brutality - to say they are are all making it up is not only ridiculous it's >insulting.

Nope. Wartime atrocities did happen and they were documented, charged, prosecuted and tried. But the "Comfort Women issue was never brought up at the end of WWII because it was recognized as a military brothel system, the same as Germany had in WWII. Comfort women were captured and interrogated by US troops and found to be MILITARY PROSTITUTES who were paid for the services. http://www.exordio.com/1939-1945/codex/Documentos/report-49-USA-orig.html The whole idea of "200,000 women kidnapped" came from a fabricated story run by the Asahi newspaper and came into being in the early 1990s along with "Sex Slaves" instead of Military Prostitutes. The U.S. Government conducted a multibranch study spanning 7 years and found no evidence of "200,000 women kidnapped". http://www.archives.gov/iwg/reports/final-report-2007.pdf What's insulting are news agencies and people who believe any anti-Japan issue without actually looking into the documentation readily available.

sensei258: "No, but you are saying that I am, and that doesn't make it so."

You LITERALLY asked if I need a dictionary for sarcasm in regards to your comment, and sarcasm is the attempt to use irony to deride and/or show contempt for something, so yes, if you were truly using sarcasm than you were showing contempt for the women making claims. If not, you don't know what sarcasm means. Which is it?

And I'm saying you deliberately avoided saying it happened, yes. The old "I'm not saying..." is for that purpose.

tinawatanabeJAN. 27, 2016 - 12:02AM JST

Yeah, or maybe she just suffered under Japan's wartime aggression? and she has to say this at Emperor's visit?

I agree, she timed it well - the emperor is the only Japanese leader with a heart and common sense.

And I'm saying you deliberately avoided saying it happened, yes.

Once again putting words in my mouth and then attacking them. Read my post

yes, it happened

The fact that there are more than a few revisionists, apologists - even straight-out deniers - is quite frankly disgusting. To even say that these victims were paid for their 'services' is misinformed and simply unacceptable in 2016. Women were beaten, stabbed, strangled, burnt - you name it. There was no payment made for the human rights that were taken from them. Pregnant women even had their foetuses removed before being forced into sexual slavery. This has all been well-documented.

I'm utterly dumbfounded that there are even people here that carry the 'no documentation so it didn't happen' mentality. Lost for words.