"Military Comfort Women" by Donna Kim and Irene Kim

The History of Comfort Women in Japan

In the midst of World War II (1932-1945), the imperial Japanese army forced 200,000 girls from Korea, China, and its other occupied countries in southeast Asia to become “comfort women.” Despite the innocence of this term, the relations between these young females and Japanese soldiers were characterized by forceful kidnappings and other forms of coercion and prostitution. Comfort women also faced inhumane conditions involving repeated rapes, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancies. Often, they were tricked into “recruitment” with promises of economic opportunities and an improved quality of life. Many were even pulled from their classrooms or plucked off of the streets. 

Japanese “comfort stations,” or military brothels, widely expanded after the infamous incident known as Rape of Nanking, which took place on December 13, 1937. In this six-week-long massacre through the Chinese city of Nanking, Japanese troops raped between 20,000 to 80,000 Chinese women. Although Japanese officials destroyed documented evidence, it is estimated that 90 percent of the 20,000 to 410,000 total comfort women died by the end of World War II.

The history of comfort women had remained undocumented and unnoticed for many decades until the 1980s when victims began to illuminate their stories. Today, a few dozen of the women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japan are still alive and fighting for an apology from the Japanese government.

“Women’s Column of Strength,” a statue symbolizing comfort women in San Francisco (Monument Lab)

“Women’s Column of Strength,” a statue symbolizing comfort women in San Francisco (Monument Lab)

Recent Controversy

In 2020, Professor John M. Ramseyer, a Mitsubishi Professor of Japanese Legal Studies at Harvard Law School, published his thesis paper titled “Contracting for Sex in the Pacific War.” He argues that comfort women entered a mutual and valid contract with the Japanese military. He also introduces the concept of “Game Theory,” a theory relating to the economy and the relationship between comfort women and the Japanese military. His controversial writing justifies the sexual slavery that comfort women experienced by claiming they wanted to enter into these relations.While some believe that Ramseyer is merely analyzing the legal argument of these “contracts,” many are calling for the International Review of Law and Economics to not publish his thesis. Its disregard of evidence from numerous Korean scholarships and historical records surrounding comfort women as well as its diminishment of the Japanese government’s responsibility greatly disrespect the countless victims who were involved (NBC News). 

Professor J. Mark Ramseyer (World Today News)

Professor J. Mark Ramseyer (World Today News)

Why This Matters and How You Can Help

For the past 30 years, the Washington Coalition for Comfort Women Issues, Inc. has been raising awareness about comfort women and protesting the Japanese government’s shortcomings in addressing the issue. In 2007, U.S. Representative Mike Honda introduced a resolution in addition to other proposals in the Philippines, Netherlands, Canada, and the European Union that would bring justice for the many women who were wrongfully exploited. 

Supported with a rising virality of a Change.org petition to withdraw the publication of Ramseyer’s thesis and to take disciplinary action against him, the news of “comfort women” has taken a more mainstream stance in support of victims and against Professor Ramseyer’s thesis. The petition has received almost 30,000 signatures and is hoping to reach 35,000 soon with help from the public.

By claiming that comfort women were part of a consenting and contractual process, Professor Ramseyer distorts historical facts. He fails to consider diverse historical perspectives, especially those held by the women who were affected most. It is necessary for Professor Ramseyer to take responsibility for his anti-human study so that justice for comfort women and the reversal of his false narrative on their actions can be attained. 

Former “comfort woman” Lee Yong-Soo standing by a statue of Kim Haksoon (Voice of America)

Former “comfort woman” Lee Yong-Soo standing by a statue of Kim Haksoon (Voice of America)

April 2019; rally on Capitol Hill to raise awareness and demand an apology by the Japanese government for the usage of “comfort women” (NBC News)

April 2019; rally on Capitol Hill to raise awareness and demand an apology by the Japanese government for the usage of “comfort women” (NBC News)

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