Comments on: Comfort Women Deniers take out Ads

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 05:22:33 +0000

Maybe this topic has had more interest in Europe than in the USA over the years.
Maybe, but it’s come up periodically in the US over the last decade or so. The government of California created quite a stir back in 1999 when it demanded Japan apologize and make amends for war-time atrocities, including the “comfort women” issue.
…
comfort women (what a lousy word by the way)
Indeed! And the Japanese certainly realize this, which is why public figures and the press are usually careful to say something like 「いわゆる従軍慰安婦」, or “the so-called ‘comfort women’”.

By: J.

J. — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 03:09:15 +0000

Harvey, I did not know about the initiative of Mr. Honda until I read about it in the online newspapers (e.g. japantoday). However, Japan’s moves related to the comfort women (what a lousy word by the way) is widely reported about in Europe, and the Netherlands where I am from. Over the years there has been quite some resentment towards Japan about the political maneuvering and plain denial about their actions in WW2. The statements of both Aso and Abe were published widely in the Netherlands and inevitably create reactions from the readers. Maybe this topic has had more interest in Europe than in the USA over the years. Good to see that the USA is also taking some steps on this topic.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:44:34 +0000

Congressman Mike Honda interview.

By: harvey

harvey — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:21:19 +0000

Ashton!

“Just to clarify, the resolution in the US Congress has been on the books for quite some time (I think since January or February, if I’m not mistaken). Hence, this “advertisement” in the Washington Post is a response to the resolution, not the other way around as you indicated.”

True, I think it can still be said though, that the reason the resolution may be restated with more ‘assertiveness’ (though yeah, it’s non-binding), is in direct response to the advertisement.

Do you guys agree?

Why has this resolution come up. That’s a good question.

I don’t know. I wonder if one of the reasons that it is being brought up again now has anything to do with the serious constitution revision talks, the new referendum law, and the new bill for the fundamental education law. Bush and Abe’s luke-warm relationship? It seems that a lot of things are happening lately that would make Japan seem to be more nationalistic than usual lately…

Or maybe I’m just paying attention more now, and it’s always been like this?

By: Ashton

Ashton — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 01:40:38 +0000

Harvey! Dig the website!

Just to clarify, the resolution in the US Congress has been on the books for quite some time (I think since January or February, if I’m not mistaken). Hence, this “advertisement” in the Washington Post is a response to the resolution, not the other way around as you indicated.

And to open up dialogue a bit more, why do you think Mike Honda authored this (nonbinding, might I add) resolution to begin with? Why has this become a national issue for the American people? Are we saying that since Japan doesn’t have a culture of political dissent other countries have to step in?

I agree that criticism of government (especially our current president) is quite widespread and, more importantly, tolerated in the US (at least to a certain extent — see Patriot Act). But — and this is something I felt very strongly after the results of the last presidential election — what are we accomplishing with this freedom?

I should stop there, but thanks for the interesting post. I need to read up more on these issues…!

Hope Osaka is treating you well. :)