Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe denies wartime ‘comfort women’ were forced (March 2007)

“There was no evidence to prove there was coercion as initially suggested. That largely changes what constitutes the definition of coercion, and we have to take it from there.” read more

Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama on the occasion of the establishment of the “Asian Women’s Fund” (July 1995)

“The problem of the so-called wartime comfort women is one such scar, which, with the involvement of the Japanese military forces of the time, seriously stained the honor and dignity of many women. This is entirely inexcusable. I offer my profound apology to all those who, as wartime comfort women, suffered emotional and physical wounds that can never be closed.”  read more

Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono (August 4, 1993)

“As a result of the study which indicates that comfort stations were operated in extensive areas for long periods, it is apparent that there existed a great number of comfort women. Comfort stations were operated in response to the request of the military authorities of the day. The then Japanese military was, directly or indirectly, involved in the establishment and management of the comfort stations and the transfer of comfort women. The recruitment of the comfort women was conducted mainly by private recruiters who acted in response to the request of the military. The Government study has revealed that in many cases they were recruited against their own will, through coaxing coercion, etc., and that, at times, administrative/military personnel directly took part in the recruitments. They lived in misery at comfort stations under a coercive atmosphere.” read more

Forgotten faces: Japan’s comfort women (CNN video and article, June 15, 2012)

“Photographer Ahn Sehong walks into the Nikon building in Tokyo with his photos under his arm. They‘re pictures of elderly women, part of his exhibit that was scheduled to take place at the Nikon gallery. That is, until Nikon canceled it without explanation…”  read more 

Violence Against Women in War – Network Japan (1998 – Present)

“We call for the restoration of honor and justice for women victimized by Japan‘s military sexual slavery before & during WWII, and for the Japanese government to fulfill its war and post-war responsibilities.” read more at VAWW – NET Japan website