Editor's note: China's national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre falls on December 13.
Nearly a century has passed since the first women were forced into sexual slavery by Imperial Japan, yet their suffering remains deeply painful today.
From 1931 to 1945, an estimated 400,000 women from about 11 Asian countries and regions were coerced into serving as "comfort women" for the Japanese military. Most victims came from China, the Korean Peninsula, and the Philippines, with others from Myanmar, East Timor, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and beyond.
China was the most heavily affected, with scholars estimating over 200,000 Chinese women victimized under this system. Many were deceived or abducted into military-run brothels, where they endured repeated assault, physical trauma, and lifelong emotional scars.
In July 2025, UN special rapporteurs and working groups under the Human Rights Council called on the Japanese government to ensure truth, justice, and reparations for survivors. They emphasized that international law requires corrective action to address these historical violations.
Countries such as the Republic of Korea and the Philippines continue to pressure Japan for a sincere apology and concrete measures. Observers note that without full acknowledgment and redress, the wounds of history cannot fully heal.
As we approach the memorial day on December 13, reflection on this tragedy is a reminder of the importance of safeguarding human rights and standing against atrocities, ensuring that past horrors are neither forgotten nor repeated.
Reference(s):
Remembering history: The tragedy of 400,000 WWII 'comfort women'
cgtn.com
