The move comes as the nationalist Abe prepares a statement he is expected to deliver in August. It is being closely watched for any sign of backsliding on previous Japanese apologies. Nearly 200 academics, including experts on Japanese and Korean history, signed the statement imploring Abe to repeat previous explicit prime ministerial apologies for Japanese violence.
The statement, also signed by dozens of journalists, lawyers and rights activists, said Abe's expected announcement "must reaffirm that invasion and colonial control caused harm and pain to neighbor countries ... and it must express renewed sentiments of regret and apology." Signatories say Tokyo must face up to its responsibility for the sexual enslavement of thousands of women, an issue at the heart of the bitter enmity between Japan and South Korea, from where most of the women came.
"We emphasize resolution of the 'comfort women' issue this time, as the relationship between Japan and South Korea has been strained," said one of the organizers Haruki Wada, historian and professor emeritus of Tokyo University, using Japan's preferred euphemism.
"We hope Prime Minister Abe will reflect our voices in his statement," Wada told AFP.
AFP
globaltimes.cn
8/6/15
South Korean victims of Japan's wartime sex slavery will sue Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a U.S. federal court as the Abe cabinet has ignored calls for apology and compensation...
ReplyDeleteThe victims, now in their 80s and 90s, held a press conference Tuesday at the House of Sharing, a shelter housing for the comfort women victims, or Korean women coerced into sex enslavement for Japanese military brothels during the World War II, according to local media reports. The shelter is located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.
Ten South Korean women, forced into sex slavery for Japan's Imperial Army, and two bereaved families plan to file a damages claim lawsuit in July against Abe, the Japanese emperor, and Japan ' s war criminal enterprises, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,as well as Sankei Shimbun that belittled the victims as prostitute.
The lawsuit will be filed with the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, claiming 20 million U.S. dollars in damages..............http://www.china.org.cn/world/2015-06/23/content_35887208.htm
23/6/15