Gil Won-ok, a 96-year-old Korean woman, recently passed away, marking a significant loss for the international community in the fight for accountability regarding Japan's historical practice of sexual slavery during the early 20th century. Ms. Gil was among approximately 240 South Korean comfort women who publicly shared their experiences of abuse by the Japanese military from the 1930s through World War II, leaving only a few survivors to continue their advocacy.
Mina Watanabe, a Japanese woman born after the war, has been a prominent advocate for the rights of these survivors. As the director of the Women’s Active Museum on War and Peace (WAM) in Tokyo, she has focused on raising awareness about sexual violence against women in wartime, particularly regarding Japan's historical actions. Watanabe's interest in women’s rights began in her school days, and her encounters with survivors in the 1990s profoundly influenced her life.
Co-founding WAM in 2005 with support from both domestic and international donors, Watanabe has campaigned globally for the recognition and reparations for survivors of Japan's military sexual slavery system. Despite facing criticism and isolation from some segments of Japanese society, she remains committed to her cause.
The term “comfort women” refers to the victims of sexual slavery imposed on women by the Japanese military from the 1930s until 1945 across the Asia-Pacific region. While the term “sex slaves” more accurately describes their plight, “comfort women” is retained due to its historical significance. The Japanese government acknowledges that women suffered but denies that they were taken against their will, claiming that the issue was resolved through a bilateral agreement with South Korea in December 2015.
Watanabe argues that the core issue is not how women were taken, but rather that they were held against their will and subjected to prolonged sexual violence. Survivors seek full acknowledgment from the Japanese government and wish for their stories to be passed on to future generations to prevent recurrence. Despite the passing of many survivors, advocacy continues for recognition of the military's crimes.
Regarding reparations, Watanabe notes that no significant progress has been made, and the Japanese government’s apologies lack clarity regarding the specific damages acknowledged. However, global perceptions of comfort women have shifted, with international law now recognizing wartime rape and sexual slavery as crimes against humanity, leading to increased respect for survivors as human rights defenders.
Watanabe also highlights that the legacy of Japan’s treatment of comfort women affects contemporary societal attitudes towards women in Japan. She points out a troubling tolerance for sexual violence, particularly regarding incidents involving U.S. military personnel in Okinawa, where many cases remain unprosecuted. This cultural mindset, she suggests, may contribute to a broader acceptance of sexual violence.
In response to inquiries about her involvement with WAM, Watanabe recounts her engagement with the women’s movement in the mid-1990s, including her participation in the Women’s International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan’s Military Sexual Slavery. Following the tribunal, she helped establish the museum to preserve testimonies and documents related to the comfort women issue.
WAM has also submitted an application to UNESCO to recognize the comfort women’s history as a unique documentary heritage. Despite attempts by the Japanese government to obstruct this process, Watanabe remains hopeful due to the support from individuals in Japan who advocate for justice and the prevention of future atrocities.