Views on The Resurgence of Japanese Militarism

                During World War II, Japan’s army committed many atrocious acts, including the use biological weapons and the coercion of women into prostitution.  These crimes were uncovered immediately after the war.  Despite this, Japan has continued to delude its citizens and cover up the truth.  Now, as Japan tries to bring back its former military glory, it is interesting to look at the support, and opposition that they receive from various parties.    

                During the war, after Japan invaded a country, it was fairly common practice to force some of the women to become prostitutes for the military.  These women gained the euphemism “Comfort Women”.  You can find survivors in many parts of Asia, including, Korea, China and the Philippines.   Estimates on how many women were involved in this tragedy varies from researcher to researcher, with Japanese researchers coming up with a low estimate of 20,000 and the Chinese with estimates as high as 410,000.  As recently as last year, the protests of these women have continued, and despite historical evidence, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was quoted as saying “there is no proof that women were coerced”.  This quote sparked outrage among the surviving comfort women.  (AP 2008)

                A group called Lila-Pilipina is standing up for these women against the Japanese government.  The leader of the group, Rechilda Extremadura, says “The Japanese government should publicly apologize and put in history how the women were abducted and forced to serve in the comfort women system”. (AP 2008) The demands of the comfort women are simple:

 1. Apologize for past transgressions,     

2. Pay reparations to those they offended, and

3. Teach the truth in schools. 

The Japanese government has made apologies to the offended families in the past, but Lila-Pilipina wants the government to give a public apology, where the government admits to the wrongs that were committed, would do wonders with their world image.  Because of this government’s unwillingness to reconcile with the past there are many who believe that Japan is still too immature to have an army.  If they were to admit what was done and inform their own children and the general population of the truth it would demonstrate a true change in attitude.  However, this is unlikely because the Japanese are focused on saving face.