Author: -

Abstract: »"Comfort women" is a euphemism referring to the system of sexual slavery established and controlled by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. It is estimated that most of the victims were of Korean origin. Those who survived remained silent about their experiences for four decades, keeping the world unaware of their fate while simultaneously shielding Japan from international criticism. Only the first public testimonies of former comfort women-initiated efforts toward justice and reparation. This study analyses the origins and functioning of the “comfort stations” and examines the reasons why this system was inextricably linked to the Japanese military apparatus. Based on the victims’ testimonies, the living conditions of the comfort women are presented, and how this issue continues to shape diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea are analysed. Despite years of discussions, official apologies from Japan, and the signing of a bilateral agreement in 2015, the issue of comfort women remains unresolved and still calls for a decisive response from Japan.« (Source: Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego)

Wikipedia: History of Asia: History of Japan / Shōwa era | History of Asia: History of Korea / Korea under Japanese rule, History of South Korea | Diplomacy: History of Japan–Korea relations / Japan–South Korea relations | Prostitution: Forced prostitution / Comfort women | Sex and the law: Wartime sexual violence / Sexual violence in World War II | War: Pacific War / Japanese war crimes