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Instructor
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- Who were the “Comfort Women” and how was the “Comfort Women” system established?
The Comfort Women were women and ladies who were compelled into sexual activities during the second World War (Kimura, 2016). They were forced into the activity by the Japanese Army, who ambushed nations and took their territories during the war. These women could also participate in prostitution willingly before World War II broke out. The system was established particularly from the women who were used to provide sexual pleasure to soldiers to reduce the rate of rape during war. However, this led to the development of brothels, which made most of the women to be forced as sex workers in those brothels (Kimura, 2016).
- Why is it so important to know about their struggle for justice?
Over the past years, there has been a higher rate of injustice in such cases. In some cases, the inefficiencies experienced in the court rooms and the government systems, have led to delayed execution of judgement. During the enslavement, these young women and girls would be tortured and even be raped and killed (Okinawan, 2016). These women are human and undergo psychological stress and vexation due to the physical and the shame and humiliation that they would be exposed to after this great injustice done to them. This, therefore, renders the need to understand how they feel, which leads to fighting for justice.
- Why is an accurate portrayal of the history of Comfort Women crucial for future relations between Korea and Japan?
In the years that followed, many Korean women who were victims of the violence, came forward to present their cases. According to (Japanese comfort women and the contemporary justice movement, 2016), the court systems in Japan have failed to settle the issues so presented and the government had announced to compensate the surviving “Comfort Women.” In reviewing this, the Korean Government said that the Japanese owe them an apology of which the Japanese Government condemned the request. This is to indicate that despite the government of Japan and Korea hopes to settle their differences and move on; the issue remains a matter of present and future concern of their relationships that still need to be taken care of to enhance a harmonious co-existence between the two.
- What is the Japanese Government’s view on this issue?
The Japanese Government considers the importance of its surrounding neighbors, including the Republic of Korea, Republic of China, focusing on establishing an ongoing relationship with these nations (Kimura, 2016). The government of Japan has recognized that the “Comfort Women” issue was a serious insult to the women’s dignity and honor; thus, the government has discussed what ought to be done to express apologies to the former “Comfort Women.” This has been reached by extending funds and welfare support to build facilities that will take care of the elderly and enhance better living standards (Kimura, 2016). Furthermore, the Japanese government is committed to ensuring there are no more violations of basic human rights and women’s dignity.
- What is the South Korean Government’s perspective on this issue?
The violation and the suffering of the Korean comfort women have been one of the most effective symbols to the Korean Government (Okinawan prostituted women and comfort stations at war’s end, 2016). The government has viewed the criticality of the issue and has begun to allow for open discussion to foster a satisfactory solution. There have been remarks and testimonies from the affected victims, saying they were not forced to work in the Japanese brothels (Kimura, 2016). Be that so, the government hopes that the issue will be exposed and the South Koreans will come to understand the true facts.
References
Japanese comfort women and the contemporary justice movement. (2016). The Japanese Comfort Women and Sexual Slavery during the China and Pacific Wars. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781474218740.ch-002
Kimura, M. (2016). The origin of the ‘Comfort women’ system. Unfolding the ‘Comfort Women’ Debates, 71-102. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137392510_4
Okinawan prostituted women and comfort stations at war’s end. (2016). The Japanese Comfort Women and Sexual Slavery during the China and Pacific Wars. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781474218740.ch-007