What the 23 Docs Reveal
Back in the 1930s, a Japanese army that didn’t have a HR department threw a rough “comfort women” plan around. These 23 government‑filing documents – brushed clean of any HTML junk – made it plain that Tokyo ordered one prostitute for every 70 troops.
How It Got There
- Collected by Japan’s Cabinet Secretariat between Apr‑2017 and Mar‑2019.
- 13 dispatches from Japanese consulates in China to the Foreign Ministry, dating back to 1938 (yes, old-school pen‑and‑paper).
Which Women Were Trapped
The victims didn’t come from one place: they were taped in Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Australia, and even Japan itself. Those “local geisha” likely signed up on their own, whereas the “comfort women” were the real “sex slaves,” forced to serve.
A 1993 Apology & Its Fallout
In 1993, Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono (the man on the mic for the government) voiced an apology, admitting the army’s role in kidnapping women. But that heartfelt “sorry” didn’t seal the deal—South Korea still screams for a deeper contrition.
Dispatch Highlights (Because Who Can Walk Away?)
- Jinan Consul General: “The invasion has sparked a surge in prostitution—101 Japanese geisha, 110 domestic comfort women, 228 Korean comfort women. We need at least 500 more by April’s end for the Finns.”
- Qingdao Consul General: “Imperial Army: one woman per 70 soldiers; Navy wants 150 extra comfort women and geisha.”
What’s in the Numbers?
Historians estimate tens of thousands of victims, a figure that might just be a polite understatement. The army’s goal: curb the spread of disease and keep the soldiers’ “the love-hate with Burglar” pride from hitting the streets.
Modern‑Day Tension & The “Comfort Woman” Statue
- Japan claims the reparations are done, but funds for victims are still shaky—South Korea’s lawsuits are on recipe, not just a garnish.
- Some folks still argue: “They were voluntary prostitutes.”
- Trade, tourism, and a painted statue of a young “comfort woman” are all on the chopping block.
Bottom line: These shaky 1930s policies are still a mess for Japan’s neighbors, and folks aren’t giving up on a real, heartfelt apology.
