|
 t has been over half a
century since the Japanese Imperial Army invaded the Philippines and caused the
nightmare we call "Japanese time" or panahon ng Hapon. The
sharp edge of Japanese atrocities during World War II, has dulled over time from our national
consciousness. But the hurt from one group of victims, lingers on.
Scores of young girls
barely in their teens were systematically abducted and forced into sexual
slavery by Japan. These adolescents were forced to endure
humiliation and exploitation as "comfort women" for Japanese soldiers. They
endured torture, beatings and rape by as many as 40 men each day.
 For those who
survived, the trauma they suffered left deep emotional and psychological scars they
carried with them for the rest of their lives.
The current demonstrations against
Japan in both China and South Korea highlight Japan's dark past in the region. A
past that it tries to deny or at the very least gloss over whenever it can.
While Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's apology during the recent Asian and
African summit in Jakarta has assuaged some of the concerns of Japan's Asian
neighbors, surviving Filipina comfort women as well as those from other Asian
countries continue to seek recompense and an official apology from the Japanese
Government--so far without success.
Japan's current bid for a
permanent seat in the UN Security Council however, has opened up an opportunity
to bring this topic to the center of the world stage. Online petitions are
currently being posted by the Philippine and other Asian websites to oppose
Japan's UN bid absent an officially apology and legal compensation for its
victims. You can sign-up online at the
Lolas Kampanyera
website.
Japan must face up to its
past and sixty years is a long time to be waiting for an apology.
|
