🕯️ As we approach December 13, the national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in the Chinese mainland, it's time to reflect on another dark chapter of WWII: the tragedy of 400,000 comfort women.
Between 1931 and 1945, Imperial Japan's military forced tens of thousands of women from about 11 Asian countries and regions into sexual slavery. Most came from the Chinese mainland, the Korean Peninsula, and the Philippines, with others from Myanmar, East Timor, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and beyond.
These women and girls were taken or lured into military-run brothels, stripped of their freedom, and subjected to brutal mistreatment. Survivors' testimonies reveal harrowing stories of violence, emotional trauma, and lifelong health struggles. Their voices remind us why history matters.
This July, UN special rapporteurs and Human Rights Council experts urged Japan to face these atrocities, calling for truth, justice, and reparations. Across countries like South Korea and the Philippines, public demands for a sincere apology and concrete action continue to grow.
Remembering these 400,000 women isn't just about looking back – it's a pledge to guard the peace we enjoy today. On December 13, let's light a candle for all the comfort women and renew our commitment to stand against any return of militarism. 🌍
Reference(s):
Remembering history: The tragedy of 400,000 WWII 'comfort women'
cgtn.com
