The National Japanese American United Methodist Clergy Caucus condemns the recent remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe denying the involvement of the Japanese military in the enslavement of women before and during World War II.
The prime minister's comments contradict the scholarly research of historians and the testimony of living witnesses that the Japanese military forced between 100,000 and 200,000 girls and women into sexual slavery in the Japanese-occupied territories.
Abe's denial undermines the efforts of those seeking historical reconciliation through the Japanese government's admission of complicity in this operation. It also reverses the small steps the government has taken to accept responsibility for this and other wartime atrocities.
The prime minister's remarks cause particular concern to Japanese Americans, who historically have suffered as the result of the negative actions of the Japanese government. Of greater concern, however, is the glossing over of the brutal treatment of Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Filipino, European, and Japanese women by Japanese soldiers during World War II.
The National Japanese American United Methodist Caucus calls upon Prime Minister Able to recant and apologize for his recent remarks. The Caucus also supports the efforts of U.S. congressional leaders, spearheaded by Mike Honda (D-Calif.), to pass HR 121, which calls upon the Japanese government to unequivocally acknowledge and apologize for its involvement in sexual slavery before and during World War II. In addition, the Caucus urges the Japanese government to compensate the survivors of this tragic episode.