‘Comfort women’ exhibit opens in State Bldg. in S.F.

While the subject of so-called “comfort women” continues to cause controversy between Japan and its neighboring countries in Asia, a new photo exhibition recently opened at the California State Building designed to shed light on one of the darkest chapters of World War II — the sexual enslavement of women throughout Asia by the Japanese […]

Osaka to end sister-city ties with San Francisco over ‘comfort women

OSAKA — Osaka formally decided Dec. 13 to end its 60-year sister-city ties with San Francisco, in protest against its sanctioning of a statue symbolizing women forced into wartime brothels for the Japanese military, the Osaka mayor said. The acceptance of the so-called “comfort women” statue “fundamentally destroyed the relationship of trust. It cannot be […]

‘Comfort women’ memorial site selected

A memorial dedicated to the so-called “comfort women” — who were used as sex slaves by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II — has found a home, say members of the “Comfort Women” Justice Coalition. Approved unanimously by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Sept. 22, 2015 through a resolution authored by […]

Yomiuri Shimbun prints apology for ‘inappropriate expressions’

The Japan News, an English-language daily published by The Yomiuri Shimbun, printed an apology Nov. 28 citing the use of “sex slave” in 97 articles between February of 1992 through January of 2013 for its reporting on issues of so-called “comfort women.” The Japan News, under its previous masthead as The Daily Yomiuri, used the […]

‘Comfort women’ were victims of sexual slavery: U.S. expert

WASHINGTON — Women who served in Japanese wartime military brothels can be viewed as victims of sexual slavery as they were recruited against their will, Mike Mochizuki, an associate professor at George Washington University, said in a recent interview with Kyodo News. The Japanese government has opposed labeling the so-called “comfort women” as “sex slaves” […]

Japan, South Korea remain apart over ‘comfort women’ issue

SEOUL (Kyodo) — Japan and South Korea failed to narrow differences during a meeting April 16 on the issue of Korean women forced to serve at brothels for the wartime Japanese military. “It was a very meaningful consultation in that we were able to deepen understanding on each other’s position and situation,” Junichi Ihara, director […]

KOREAN SEX SLAVES: ‘Comfort women’ monument campaign gains momentum

LOS ANGELES — The successful campaign to install a monument in Glendale, Calif. honoring World War II-era “comfort women” signals that Korean Americans and other activists, energized by their victory, will continue to pressure the Japanese government to acknowledge its wartime atrocities. The monument pays tribute to thousands of young women from Korea and other […]

Unveiling of ‘comfort women’ memorial in Glendale, Calif.

GLENDALE, Calif. — Hundreds of people gathered at Glendale Central Park near Los Angeles on July 30 to witness the unveiling of the first “comfort women” memorial on public property on the U.S. West Coast. Supporters, Glendale city officials and other community members attended the event on the sixth anniversary of the passage of Resolution […]

S.F. Board of Supervisors condemns Hashimoto’s remarks about WWII brothels

OSAKA  (Kyodo) — The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has adopted a resolution condemning Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto’s remarks about Japan’s wartime system of military brothels, Osaka city officials said June 24 . Hashimoto, who co-heads the Japan Restoration Party, has come under fire for the remarks claiming the wartime brothels were “necessary” for soldiers. […]