HFF Presents:
COMFORT WOMEN
SHARING STORIES, LEARNING MORE SPEAKING UP
WHO ARE THE "COMFORT WOMEN"?
During WWII between 1932-1945, the imperial Japanese army forced women from occupied countries to become prostitutes. These countries include Korea and China, however the Japanese military captured women from any occupied country.
An increase in brothels occurred after the Rape of Nanking on December 13, 1937 since Emperor Hirohito was concerned about the comfort and satisfaction of Japanese soldiers.
Recruitment was done by soldiers through kidnappings, coercion, and purchasing women as indentured servants. "Comfort women" were subject to forced rape, life in inhumane conditions, pregnancies, and countless STI's.
The final numbers? There are barely any records, but sources can confirm that only approximately 10% of "Comfort Women" survived. Of the approximately 200 000 total enslaved women, every single one became a societal outcasts and those alive today have received minimal retribution.
THE PROBLEM TODAY
WHY CARE NOW?
1991
FIRST STORY OF A "COMFORT WOMAN" IS SHARED BY KIM HAK-SUN ON AUGUST 14.
1993
JAPANESE GOVERNMENT FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE PAST DURING THE KONO STATEMENT. HOWEVER, THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER CONTINUED TO DENY THE COERCION OF "COMFORT WOMEN' BY THE MILITARY, AND THE WHITE WASH OF THE HISTORY CONTINUES.
2015
JAPAN ANNOUNCED REPARATIONS TO ONLY KOREANS AND NOT ANY WOMEN AFFLICTED IN OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT DENIED SOUTH KOREA'S REQUEST FOR AN APOLOGY. VICTIMS WERE NOT CONSULTED AT ALL.
1 BILLION YEN DOES NOT MEND THE PAIN OF SURVIVING "COMFORT WOMEN"