The ‘Statue of Peace’ in Berlin-Moabit commemorates ‘comfort women’, a euphemism for women who were sexually enslaved by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The memorial urges historical justice and reconciliation. After its unveiling in September 2020, the installation drew criticism from Japanese officials. Although the Berlin-Mitte district… Read More
The writer explores how war crimes, such as sexual slavery and rape, as delicate and difficult history, are present in today’s dialogue between countries. The focus is on sexual violence perpetrated by the Japanese Imperial Army in South Korea, and how this affects the relationship between these countries to this… Read More
The report discusses Japan’s military sexual slavery in the case of “comfort women”, and how authorities have responded to the demand of taking accountability for the crimes committed. Includes excerpt from survivals as well as other requests and demands of the Women’s Active Museum on War and Peace NGO. Read More
The article provides a brief overview of the literature on wartime rape in historical and ethnographical societies and a critical analysis of the four leading explanations for its root causes: the feminist theory, the cultural pathology theory, the strategic rape theory, and the biosocial theory. Read More
The article discusses the sexual violence that was perpetrated during Japan’s Pacific War, how this has since been addressed and politicized, and how discussion of this topic has spread to a global feminist movement to Eastern and Southeast Asian countries. Read More