sex slaves

Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Sep 9, 2017

Abe's extremism undermines Japan's interests

by Jeff Kingston

Alas, Japan's extremists have still not given up trying to find honor in the nation's 1945 wartime defeat and and the ideology that led to it.

Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Apr 22, 2017

Japanese revisionist drivel exposed by former 'comfort woman'

by Jeff Kingston

Lee Yong-soo's is a poignant saga of abduction from her village at age 16 and ending up on an air base in Taiwan, where she was beaten and tortured until she succumbed.

Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Apr 15, 2017

Abe's self-inflicted statue wounds fester in Seoul

by Jeff Kingston

Abe face-planted by sending back Japan's ambassador to Seoul without resolving the statue issue, one that should never have been made into such a big deal in the first place.

Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Mar 18, 2017

Why is Japan's public diplomacy so utterly inept?

by Jeff Kingston

Why does the Foreign Ministry insist on drawing attention to wartime Japan when the rest of the world is far more interested in 21st century Japan?

Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Mar 11, 2017

Abe's revisionism nets own goals at home and away

by Jeff Kingston

What links Osaka, Seoul, Busan and Glendale, California? Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's championing of revisionist history.

National Nov 4, 2016

'Comfort women' demand formal apology, redress for all survivors worldwide

Four former "comfort women" called on the Japanese government Friday to make a formal apology and offer compensation to fellow victims in other countries, while rejecting a December agreement between Japan and South Korea that was designed to permanently settle the issue. The call came ...

National / Politics Sep 20, 2016

South Korea foundation seeks apology letter from Abe over 'comfort women'

A South Korean foundation recently launched to support former "comfort women" has asked the Japanese government for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to write a "letter of apology" to the victims, a foundation official said. Japan late last month disbursed ¥1 billion to the Reconciliation and ...

World / Social Issues Jul 6, 2016

Islamic State tightens grip on 3,000 Yazidi female captives, taps apps to sell them as slaves

The posting in Arabic is chilling. A girl for sale: "Virgin. Beautiful. 12 years old.... Her price has reached $12,500 and she will be sold soon." The advertisement, along with others for kittens, tactical gear and weapons, appeared on an encrypted Telegram app and was ...

National Jun 9, 2016

South Korean activists formally launch rival 'comfort women' foundation

A South Korean civic group supporting "comfort women" on Thursday launched a foundation opposed to a landmark deal between Japan and South Korea over the long-standing issue. The Foundation for Justice and Remembrance for the Issue of Military Sexual Slavery is headed by Chi Eun ...

National / Politics May 17, 2016

Tokyo and Seoul reaffirm commitment to ¥1 billion 'comfort women' fund

by Ayako Mie

Japanese and South Korean officials say they are track toward setting up a ¥1 billion fund to assist former "comfort women."

Entertainment News Mar 4, 2016

Film depicting horrors faced by 'comfort women' for Japan army tops Korea box office

A film based on the horrors experienced by "comfort women" in Japanese military brothels during World War II, whose doubtful commercial appeal meant it took 14 years and the contributions of 75,000 individual donors to complete, is top of the box office in South ...