During World War II, over 200,000 women in East Asia were victims of human trafficking and exploited for the Imperial Armed Force’s personal use[i]. Over 80% of the trafficked women during World War II were Korean. Since the late 1800’s, the Japanese army has utilized prostitution and Comfort Stations as a method of reducing rape during times of war. Shortly after the Nanjing Massacre 1937, the Japanese Army became aggressive in the recruitment of women. Despite the Japanese Army’s Comfort Stations policies, the numbers of rape committed during times of war did not decrease. During World War II, Japan created a “Women’s Volunteer Labor Service Corps” promising women competitive pay for labor. Instead, many of the women were sent to Japanese military Comfort Stations Today, Korea and Japan have two different views on the idea of comfort women during World War II and struggle to overcome the past. Previous efforts have been made between the two governments to try to ease tensions over this controversial issue.
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The Women’s Movement in the late 1900's revisited the Comfort Women issue in Korea. Ihwa Women’s University formed a council on the Women’s Voluntary Service Corps (WVSC). The Women's Voluntary Service Corps empowered many victims to speak out of their encounters during World War II. In 1990, Japan and Korea attempted to settle the dispute by a series of efforts made by both parties. In 1993, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono, acknowledged the establishment of “Comfort Women Stations” created by the Imperial Japanese Army. Next, in 1995, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama issued an apology on Japan’s wartime atrocities and established the Asian Women’s Fund to help provide financial aid and health care services to Comfort Women. Yet in 2014, the Korea Times labeled the comfort women dispute as one of the biggest diplomatic disputes between Japan and Korea. The United States has also played a crucial role in the dispute process, serving as a neutral third party. In 2007, the 110th Congress passed a resolution (H.Res.121) urging the government of Japan to: acknowledge, apologize, and accept responsibility for the Imperial Armed Force’s coercion of young women into sexual slavery; issue an official apology by the Prime Minister of Japan; refute any claims that the sexual enslavement never occurred; and educate future generations about the crimes. This was a direct response to former Prime Minister Abe’s claim in 2007, that the military Comfort Women were not coerced into their service[i. In 2017, the Comfort Women Justice Coalition built a “Column of Strength” memorial in St. Mary’s Square, San Francisco which depicts three young girls holding hands with a grandmother figure standing nearby. This is one of ten memorials in the United States dedicated to remembering the women who suffered from the Imperial Armed Forces. …show more content…
Additionally, US economic and security interests in the Asia-Pacific would benefit from a strong relationship between Korea and Japan. Currently, the Asia-Pacific is the world’s most dynamic economic region. Trade relations between the United States and Asia have increased by 200 percent since the Cold War. Today, the United States’ interests are threatened through the changing landscape, unpredictable effects of technology on economic development, and changing demographic shifts in the region. Strengthening the relationship between South Korea and Japan would improve stability, security, and prosperity to the United
The Women’s Movement in the late 1900's revisited the Comfort Women issue in Korea. Ihwa Women’s University formed a council on the Women’s Voluntary Service Corps (WVSC). The Women's Voluntary Service Corps empowered many victims to speak out of their encounters during World War II. In 1990, Japan and Korea attempted to settle the dispute by a series of efforts made by both parties. In 1993, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono, acknowledged the establishment of “Comfort Women Stations” created by the Imperial Japanese Army. Next, in 1995, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama issued an apology on Japan’s wartime atrocities and established the Asian Women’s Fund to help provide financial aid and health care services to Comfort Women. Yet in 2014, the Korea Times labeled the comfort women dispute as one of the biggest diplomatic disputes between Japan and Korea. The United States has also played a crucial role in the dispute process, serving as a neutral third party. In 2007, the 110th Congress passed a resolution (H.Res.121) urging the government of Japan to: acknowledge, apologize, and accept responsibility for the Imperial Armed Force’s coercion of young women into sexual slavery; issue an official apology by the Prime Minister of Japan; refute any claims that the sexual enslavement never occurred; and educate future generations about the crimes. This was a direct response to former Prime Minister Abe’s claim in 2007, that the military Comfort Women were not coerced into their service[i. In 2017, the Comfort Women Justice Coalition built a “Column of Strength” memorial in St. Mary’s Square, San Francisco which depicts three young girls holding hands with a grandmother figure standing nearby. This is one of ten memorials in the United States dedicated to remembering the women who suffered from the Imperial Armed Forces. …show more content…
Additionally, US economic and security interests in the Asia-Pacific would benefit from a strong relationship between Korea and Japan. Currently, the Asia-Pacific is the world’s most dynamic economic region. Trade relations between the United States and Asia have increased by 200 percent since the Cold War. Today, the United States’ interests are threatened through the changing landscape, unpredictable effects of technology on economic development, and changing demographic shifts in the region. Strengthening the relationship between South Korea and Japan would improve stability, security, and prosperity to the United