China Calls for Japan to Confront History of ‘Comfort Women’

Beijing – China has urged Japan to engage in serious self-reflection regarding its wartime history, particularly concerning the issue of “comfort women,” and to address historical grievances with honesty and responsibility. The call comes amid continued concerns over Japan’s acknowledgement of the atrocities committed against women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II.

UN Concerns and Calls for Reparation

The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement, made on Wednesday, responded to reports that experts from the United Nations Human Rights Council have expressed grave concern over Japan’s denial of the right to truth, justice, and reparation for surviving “comfort women.” The UN experts have called on Japan to issue formal apologies and provide full compensation to the victims, as well as to ensure accurate historical accounts are preserved in textbooks. Source

The ‘Comfort Women’ System

From 1931 to 1945, it is estimated that over 200,000 Chinese women were coerced into becoming “comfort women” for the Japanese army. Source As of 2022, fewer than 20 survivors of this system remain registered in mainland China, continuing to seek a formal apology from the Japanese government. Source

Nanjing Museum of the Site of the Lijixiang Comfort Stations

The Nanjing Museum of the Site of the Lijixiang Comfort Stations, a branch of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, preserves one of the few identified sites of these comfort stations, based on accounts from surviving victims. Source The site, originally known as Dongyun comfort station and “Guxianglou” when occupied by Japanese forces in 1937, opened to the public in 2015. Source The museum consists of eight historical buildings dating back to the period of the Republic of China (1912-1949). Source

International Memorial Day

August 14th is observed as the International Memorial Day for the “Comfort Women.” On this day, ceremonies are held to remember and honor the victims of the Japanese army’s “comfort women” system, with visitors often laying flowers – sunflowers symbolizing warmth and light – at memorial sites. Source