The evidence of forced recruitment of "comfort women" by Japan's militarists is ironclad and undeniable, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.
Guo made the remarks when asked to comment on a Thai media article titled "Comfort Women Must Not Be Erased", which details Japan's establishment of "comfort stations" and institutionalized military sexual slavery across Asia during World War II.
However, some Asian countries, including Thailand and the Philippines, for various reasons, have been unwilling to confront or have downplayed this history, blocking the truth from being passed to younger generations.
Japan has also tried in recent years to stop "comfort women" statues from being installed in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.
"China has repeatedly stated its position on issue of 'comfort women.' The forced recruitment of 'comfort women' is a grave crime against humanity committed by Japanese militarism during its aggression and expansion. It is a brutal violation of the fundamental human rights of people from China, the Korean Peninsula, Southeast Asia and other countries. The overwhelming evidence of these atrocities is irrefutable and must not be denied," Guo said.
Mr. Yohei Kono, who passed away not long ago, issued an official statement on the "comfort women" issue to acknowledge the Japanese government’s responsibility and express remorse and apology when he served as Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, the spokesman said.
"However, some forces in Japan have long been trying to deny and even erase the history of Japanese aggression, downplay the issue of 'comfort women' and deprive the victims of their right to seek truth and compensation, constantly rubbing salt into the wounds of these victims. There was strong public outrage among civil groups and people across the society when the Japanese government obstructed other countries’ effort to honor 'comfort women' with memorial statues. We urge the Japanese authorities to face up to the history of Japanese aggression, sincerely recognize its crimes and make apologies, stop covering up the truth and stifling justice and stop its reckless remilitarization," Guo said.
China has also noted that the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women urged the mainstreaming of "comfort women" in educational curricula in the Philippines, according to the spokesman.
"History is the best antidote. Victim countries need to foster a right view of the WWII history, uphold true history, prevent past tragedies from repeating themselves and jointly safeguard the hard-won peace and stability in the Asia Pacific," Guo said.
Evidence of Japan's forced recruitment of "comfort women" undeniable: spokesman
