An unusually large number of international historians, including Japan experts, called on Japan to acknowledge and apologize for the atrocities it committed by forcing Asian women into sexually slavery before and during World War II. A total of 187 renowned scholars, including Ezra Vogel and Herbert Bix, have issued a statement and reminded Japan that, "Historians have unearthed numerous documents demonstrating the military's involvement in the transfer of women and oversight of brothels."
The collective warning ― that it is "unacceptable" to "deny or trivialize" the suffering of women mobilized for sexual slavery during wartime ― is a welcome, if not belated step. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe demonstrated near denial during his April address to the U.S. Congress when he chose not to offer an apology to the "comfort women."
In the statement, the scholars undermine Abe's assertion that they were mere victims of human trafficking by describing that the "comfort women system was distinguished by its large-scale and systematic management under the military, and its exploitation of young, poor, vulnerable women in areas colonized or occupied by Japan."
It is highly questionable whether the Prime Minister will heed the statement. He has not responded to an earlier protest by 19 U.S. history scholars' about Japan's attempt to pressure a textbook publisher to revise the description of the sexual slavery of women. But as a leader of one of the richest and most influential countries in the world ― the prowess of which he reaffirmed during his successful U.S. trip ― Abe should. The statement also offers the reason why he should: "The process of acknowledging past wrongs strengthens a democratic society and fosters cooperation among nations."
Among the scholars are some noted Japanese studies experts. Love and academic conscience must have prompted them to point out Abe's insufficient acknowledgement of the issue. Thus, even as they applauded Abe's sentiments on universal human rights, human security and suffering that Japan caused other countries expressed in his address to the U.S. Congress, they sternly called on the current Japanese leader to "act boldly on all of them."
The nationalist leader will well know that these scholars are his supporters, the ones that stand behind Japan. For many of them, Japan is a "second home as well as a field of research." Abe has indicated a willingness to face-off with those who differ with his interpretations of history. But will he take action against those who support him?
The collective warning ― that it is "unacceptable" to "deny or trivialize" the suffering of women mobilized for sexual slavery during wartime ― is a welcome, if not belated step. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe demonstrated near denial during his April address to the U.S. Congress when he chose not to offer an apology to the "comfort women."
In the statement, the scholars undermine Abe's assertion that they were mere victims of human trafficking by describing that the "comfort women system was distinguished by its large-scale and systematic management under the military, and its exploitation of young, poor, vulnerable women in areas colonized or occupied by Japan."
It is highly questionable whether the Prime Minister will heed the statement. He has not responded to an earlier protest by 19 U.S. history scholars' about Japan's attempt to pressure a textbook publisher to revise the description of the sexual slavery of women. But as a leader of one of the richest and most influential countries in the world ― the prowess of which he reaffirmed during his successful U.S. trip ― Abe should. The statement also offers the reason why he should: "The process of acknowledging past wrongs strengthens a democratic society and fosters cooperation among nations."
Among the scholars are some noted Japanese studies experts. Love and academic conscience must have prompted them to point out Abe's insufficient acknowledgement of the issue. Thus, even as they applauded Abe's sentiments on universal human rights, human security and suffering that Japan caused other countries expressed in his address to the U.S. Congress, they sternly called on the current Japanese leader to "act boldly on all of them."
The nationalist leader will well know that these scholars are his supporters, the ones that stand behind Japan. For many of them, Japan is a "second home as well as a field of research." Abe has indicated a willingness to face-off with those who differ with his interpretations of history. But will he take action against those who support him?
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