Comfort Women

[Dari]

I was in New Jersey yesterday and decided to stop by the place where a plaque stood for 'comfort women' during Japan's capture of Korea. I remember some uncles talking about these women and their prevalence during the Korean War. Supposedly, some were tricked into prostitution while others went willingly because the pay was good (or better than poverty). Also, according to this wiki page (link) it appears that the first such women were Japanese prostitutes. But demand was so great that the Japanese military began getting its supply from local pimps in China and Korea. So, it appears as if abuse by locals has been added to the category of supposed war crimes by Japan.

 

[a777pilot]

...supposed war crimes by Japan.

"Supposed"? May I suggest a class in history.

 

[a777pilot]

Besides the term "comfort women" is from WWII. They were not there willing. They were sex slaves mistreated and killed by the Japs*.



* They deserve no honor so I used this name for those that did this horrible crime.

 

[Dari]

Besides the term "comfort women" is from WWII. They were not there willing. They were sex slaves mistreated and killed by the Japs*.



* They deserve no honor so I used this name for those that did this horrible crime.

Do you have anything to refute what I wrote in the OP? What evidence do you have that they were captured by the Japanese military?

 

[mmntech]

Japan committed a lot of atrocities that aren't really talked about. All the focus goes on the Nazis and the holocaust. It's too easy to forget how many Chinese were raped, murdered, and experimented on. Even a few Nazis were surprised by the brutality at Nanking. Then there's the infamous Unit 731, which liked to perform vivisections on Chinese prisoners. That's a dissection performed while the victim was still alive, and most were conscious. The comfort women get the most attention but that was only a minor atrocity in hindsight.

In many ways, Imperial Japan was worse than Nazi Germany in terms of ideology. Given the circumstances and how the Japanese war cabinet waffled on Potsdam, the atomic bomb was the only option left. An invasion of the home islands would have made the bloodiest battles in both world wars look like a cake walk. It also would have established a strong Soviet stranglehold in Asia.

I think Japan today is deeply ashamed of their past. However, this is too much willingness to sweep it under the rug and pretend it didn't happen. It's something they have to confront head on.

 

[Dari]

Japan committed a lot of atrocities that aren't really talked about. All the focus goes on the Nazis and the holocaust. It's too easy to forget how many Chinese were raped, murdered, and experimented on. Even a few Nazis were surprised by the brutality at Nanking. Then there's the infamous Unit 731, which liked to perform vivisections on Chinese prisoners. That's a dissection performed while the victim was still alive, and most were conscious. The comfort women get the most attention but that was only a minor atrocity in hindsight.

In many ways, Imperial Japan was worse than Nazi Germany in terms of ideology. Given the circumstances and how the Japanese war cabinet waffled on Potsdam, the atomic bomb was the only option left. An invasion of the home islands would have made the bloodiest battles in both world wars look like a cake walk. It also would have established a strong Soviet stranglehold in Asia.

I think Japan today is deeply ashamed of their past. However, this is too much willingness to sweep it under the rug and pretend it didn't happen. It's something they have to confront head on.

Deeply ashamed? You don't seem to understand Japanese culture or the people. Fearing colonialization they modernized quickly and became a colonial power themselves. Their first colony in Taiwan was a wild success as witnessed by the Taiwanese people's fondness for Japan even today. But success leads to arrogance. And that may have lead to some questionable behavior. But all this is besides the point. The Japanese people always know which way the wind blows. When China was powerful they curried favors to them, but never to the point of being slaves. The same is true of America's victory in the modern era.

As for Japan flying under the radar. How could it not when the US wanted its research data? Also, Japan was not the only nation to do such experiments. THe US did them as well. Was it right or wrong? That really doesn't matter.

 

[bononos]

Deeply ashamed? You don't seem to understand Japanese culture or the people. Fearing colonialization they modernized quickly and became a colonial power themselves. Their first colony in Taiwan was a wild success as witnessed by the Taiwanese people's fondness for Japan even today. But success leads to arrogance. And that may have lead to some questionable behavior. But all this is besides the point. The Japanese people always know which way the wind blows. When China was powerful they curried favors to them, but never to the point of being slaves. The same is true of America's victory in the modern era.

As for Japan flying under the radar. How could it not when the US wanted its research data? Also, Japan was not the only nation to do such experiments. THe US did them as well. Was it right or wrong? That really doesn't matter.

Yes, deeply ashamed would be an apt description and Japan has alot of difficulty coming to terms with their WWII atrocities. Unlike Germany their schools generally don't teach schoolchildren about Japanese wartime atrocities, something to do with their fascists getting off lightly.

 

[a777pilot]

Deeply ashamed? You don't seem to understand Japanese culture or the people. Fearing colonialization they modernized quickly and became a colonial power themselves. Their first colony in Taiwan was a wild success as witnessed by the Taiwanese people's fondness for Japan even today. But success leads to arrogance. And that may have lead to some questionable behavior. But all this is besides the point. The Japanese people always know which way the wind blows. When China was powerful they curried favors to them, but never to the point of being slaves. The same is true of America's victory in the modern era.

As for Japan flying under the radar. How could it not when the US wanted its research data? Also, Japan was not the only nation to do such experiments. THe US did them as well. Was it right or wrong? That really doesn't matter.

You've got to be kidding us. You obviously know nothing of the Far East and the Japanese. I spent over ten years in the Far East and my first wife was Chinese.

The Japanese are generally hated through out the Far East.

I would suggest a short course on Far East history, one not written by the Japs.

 

[Nintendesert]

The Japanese were more brutal and vicious than even the Nazis. It's an absolute tragedy that the crimes committed by the Japanese during that time period has not been taught nearly as in depth as the crimes by the Nazis. What might be even worse is the Japanese continual refusal to acknowledge their crimes.

 

[Dari]

Yes, deeply ashamed would be an apt description and Japan has alot of difficulty coming to terms with their WWII atrocities. Unlike Germany their schools generally don't teach schoolchildren about Japanese wartime atrocities, something to do with their fascists getting off lightly.

No they do not. They know which way the wind blows and reacted to it. It's difficult to assess these people when you don't know their history. Germany is not Japan.

You've got to be kidding us. You obviously know nothing of the Far East and the Japanese. I spent over ten years in the Far East and my first wife was Chinese.

The Japanese are generally hated through out the Far East.

I would suggest a short course on Far East history, one not written by the Japs.

I know more than you. Have you been to Taiwan? Do you know the history of Taiwan? I'm guessing you don't...

The Japanese were more brutal and vicious than even the Nazis. It's an absolute tragedy that the crimes committed by the Japanese during that time period has not been taught nearly as in depth as the crimes by the Nazis. What might be even worse is the Japanese continual refusal to acknowledge their crimes.

They've acknowledged their acts of wars many times. People just want them to kowtow to them and that is something they've refused to do. Look, war is war. And the victims of war have no one to blame but their own leaders, not the conquerers. When the towers came down on 9/11, I did not blame bin Laden. I blamed my own government. ANd I actually did something about it by joining the government and fighting.

 

[Nintendesert]

No they do not. They know which way the wind blows and reacted to it. It's difficult to assess these people when you don't know their history. Germany is not Japan.



I know more than you. Have you been to Taiwan? Do you know the history of Taiwan? I'm guessing you don't...



They've acknowledged their acts of wars many times. People just want them to kowtow to them and that is something they've refused to do. Look, war is war. And the victims of war have no one to blame but their own leaders, not the conquerers. When the towers came down on 9/11, I did not blame bin Laden. I blamed my own government. ANd I actually did something about it by joining the government and fighting.

So the Polish have no one to blame but themselves? So all the Chinese just minding their own business until vivisected by the Japanese are to blame? Not the Japanese? What the hell is wrong with you???

 

[cybrsage]

All the people I know from South Korea say they would unite with their Northern brothers if Japan attacked North Korea for any reason short of a nuclear strike by NK on Japan. If a single Japanese soldier set foot in North Korea in aggression, they would demand their government attack Japan.

The hate for the thousand years of subjugation is still strong. Give it a few more decades and it will be gone, though.

 

[Dari]

So the Polish have no one to blame but themselves? So all the Chinese just minding their own business until vivisected by the Japanese are to blame? Not the Japanese? What the hell is wrong with you???

Yes. Their leadership failed them. End of story. In my opinion, the true victims of war are those abandoned by their government.

 

[Dari]

All the people I know from South Korea say they would unite with their Northern brothers if Japan attacked North Korea for any reason short of a nuclear strike by NK on Japan. If a single Japanese soldier set foot in North Korea in aggression, they would demand their government attack Japan.

The hate for the thousand years of subjugation is still strong. Give it a few more decades and it will be gone, though.

They should hate China more. Let's face it, Korea has always been a vassal state. It was for thousands of years until the Japanese took over. Now S. Korea is a vassal state of America and N. Korea is a vassal state of China.

 

[Nintendesert]

Yes. Their leadership failed them. End of story. In my opinion, the true victims of war are those abandoned by their government.

Well good luck with that. Next time you're walking down the street minding your own business hopefully nobody breaks your face in with a 2x4, since that would simply be your fault.

 

[Dari]

Well good luck with that. Next time you're walking down the street minding your own business hopefully nobody breaks your face in with a 2x4, since that would simply be your fault.

No, not the same thing. We have a government whose laws we have to abide by. Wars between nations is like wars between gods. The victor rules supreme while the loser gets what's given to him.

 

[Nintendesert]

No, not the same thing. We have a government whose laws we have to abide by. Wars between nations is like wars between gods. The victor rules supreme while the loser gets what's given to him.

There's also international laws and treaties that aggressor nations break. :\ I'm so being trolled.

 

[Dari]

There's also international laws and treaties that aggressor nations break. :\ I'm so being trolled.

You keep missing the point. So what happens when a powerful nation breaks 'international laws'? Nothing. Nothing happens other than a few finger wagging by the weak. International laws are only as strong as the forces behind them...

 

[CitizenKain]

They've acknowledged their acts of wars many times. People just want them to kowtow to them and that is something they've refused to do. Look, war is war. And the victims of war have no one to blame but their own leaders, not the conquerers. When the towers came down on 9/11, I did not blame bin Laden. I blamed my own government. ANd I actually did something about it by joining the government and fighting.

No, Japan's leaders pretty much ignore the war crimes their country committed. I don't get why someone would defend something like Japan's WW2 government. Then again, you apparently think the response to a terrorist attack is join the military, so yea.

 

[Dari]

No, Japan's leaders pretty much ignore the war crimes their country committed. I don't get why someone would defend something like Japan's WW2 government. Then again, you apparently think the response to a terrorist attack is join the military, so yea.

They've apologized and compensated governments. But some people are never satisfied.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_apology_statements_issued_by_Japan

 

[MovingTarget]

They've apologized and compensated governments. But some people are never satisfied.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_apology_statements_issued_by_Japan

The crimes of Japan during WWII can be forgiven to modern Japan, but they must not be forgotten. That I think is the point of this thread. We look upon modern Japan as a friend, but we are afraid that this tragic part of history is being swept under the rug. Those that do not know the past are doomed to repeat it, etc.

 

[piasabird]

Comfort women were slaves who were raped for the enjoyment of military personnel. Often women in war torn countries are faced with the problem of starvation or prostitution. If it is willing, with the invading or occupying force, it could be construed as offering aid and support to the enemy.

The Japanese moved into Korea, and chopped down all the trees, overfished the waterways and coastline, stole the corps, burned books to erase the culture, tried to institute japanese run schools, and tortured and killed people. It was not an occupation, it was an invasion. Calling it an occupation seems like some nice event.

The japanese also sent thousands of men to Japan to work in mines and to do other forced labor. Many of these people were killed when the USA bombed Japan.

To better understand how the Japanese conducted themselves. You might watch some films like "The Good Earth" and "Dragon-Seed".

This is considered a cinnematic classic
http://www.amazon.com/The-Good-Earth...good+earth+the

This one is a pretty good movie.
http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Seed-VH...ds=dragon+seed

 

[werepossum]

So the Polish have no one to blame but themselves? So all the Chinese just minding their own business until vivisected by the Japanese are to blame? Not the Japanese? What the hell is wrong with you???

His statement was a bit mind boggledy. One is hard pressed to imagine what the leaders of Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, or Czechoslovakia, to name a few, could have done to avoid being brutalized. Similarly, China and Korea were simply far too poor and backward to withstand a modern military from a warrior culture like Imperial Japan's and should not be blamed for being victimized.

The crimes of Japan during WWII can be forgiven to modern Japan, but they must not be forgotten. That I think is the point of this thread. We look upon modern Japan as a friend, but we are afraid that this tragic part of history is being swept under the rug. Those that do not know the past are doomed to repeat it, etc.

Well said. Japan needs to teach its children about Japanese atrocities just as Germany needs to teach its children about German atrocities and America needs to teach its children about American atrocities.

 

[Dari]

His statement was a bit mind boggledy. One is hard pressed to imagine what the leaders of Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, or Czechoslovakia, to name a few, could have done to avoid being brutalized. Similarly, China and Korea were simply far too poor and backward to withstand a modern military from a warrior culture like Imperial Japan's and should not be blamed for being victimized.


Well said. Japan needs to teach its children about Japanese atrocities just as Germany needs to teach its children about German atrocities and America needs to teach its children about American atrocities.

Those countries didn't have to fight. They can submit. But fighting is more honorable, I think.

 

[werepossum]

Those countries didn't have to fight. They can submit. But fighting is more honorable, I think.

Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, or Czechoslovakia didn't fight. Estonia for instance was surrendered without battle to the Soviets, who killed roughly 50,000, then taken by the Nazis, who killed roughly 8,000, then retaken by the Soviets who killed another 10,000 or so. Altogether Estonia lost about 180,000 citizens - about 17% of its total population. (These numbers are from Estonia's government; other sources may consider them high. One mind-blowing thing some historians do is count deaths of soldiers and laborers conscripted into the German or Soviet military or civilian workforce as German or Soviet casualties.)

My point is that there is absolutely nothing the leaders of those nations could have done to stand up to the Nazis or to the Communists. Likewise, there was nothing the Koreans could have done to stand up to the Japanese. Fight or surrender, the Japanese would deal with them as they wished.