Comfort women

Comfort women is a euphemism for women who were forced to work as sex slaves in military brothels in Japanese-occupied countries during World War II. In the Japanese language, ianfu (慰安婦, comfort women) is a term coined by Asahi Shinbun in the 1980s to refer to these wartime prostitutes. jūgun-ianfu (従軍慰安婦, "military comfort women"), those who served in Japanese military brothels during World War II in Japanese colonies and war zones, was also used, but is seen infrequently these days.

Related Topics:
Euphemism - Brothel - Japan - World War II

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The majority of the women (ages 12+) were from Korea, but a significant proportion were from the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, and other Japanese-occupied countries/regions. This particular aspect of the Second World War has historically been given very little importance or prominence in the international scene, and almost always receives no mention in historical textbooks or encyclopedias. It would be inappropriate to compare the magnitude or the level of atrocity to the Holocaust; however, unlike the German government, the Japanese government has absolutely refused to take any responsibility or issue apologies or compensation to the women involved. This has left surviving victims in a difficult position, financially, socially, and in terms of emotional closure.

Related Topics:
Korea - Philippines - Thailand - Vietnam - Singapore - China - Taiwan - Japan - Indonesia - Second World War - Holocaust

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According to research by Dr. Hirofumi Hayashi, a professor at Kanto Gakuin University, comfort women included Japanese, Koreans, Chinese, Malays, Thais, Filipinos, Indonesians, Burmese, Vietnamese, Indians, Eurasians, Dutch, and natives of the Pacific islands. Estimates of the number of comfort women during the war vary, ranging from 20,000 to 30,000. Testimony by surviving comfort women suggests the actual number to be on the higher end of the scale. Most of the brothels where comfort women served were located in Japanese military bases, but their management was handled by the local people, not by the Japanese military.

Related Topics:
Hirofumi Hayashi - Kanto Gakuin University - Japan - Koreans - Chinese - Malay - Thai - Filipinos - Indonesia - Burmese - Vietnam - India - Eurasia - Dutch - Pacific

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According to research of Dr. Ikuhiko Hata, a professor at Nihon University, The Japanese working in the licensed pleasure quarter made up 40% of the total. Koreans made up 20% and the Chinese 10%. The women who joined in Japanese-occupied countries (or from the sites of battles) other than Korea and China formed the remaining 30%.

Related Topics:
Ikuhiko Hata - Nihon University

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