The “Comfort Women” Issue and the Asian Women’s Fund

Asian Women’s Fund

Foreword
Eight years have passed since the Asian Women’s Fund was established.
The term “comfort women” refers to those who were forced to provide sexual
services to officers and men of the former Japanese military at “comfort stations”
during wartime in the past. This victimization, done with the involvement of theformer Japanese military, gravely stained the honor and dignity of these women,
and inflicted on them incurable physical and psychological pain.
On 4 August 1993, the Chief Cabinet Secretary expressed the Japanese
Government’s sincere feelings of remorse and apology to all who had suffered aswartime comfort women. Measures that would offer atonement were then sought. In
July 1995, the Asian Women’s Fund was established as a way to offer theatonement of the Japanese Government and people through projects conducted incooperation between the Japanese Government and the people.
By September 2002, the Asian Women’s Fund had completed projects in the
Netherlands, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan, offering theatonement of the Japanese Government to victims who had been forced to become
comfort women. The women also received a letter from the Japanese Prime
Minister, expressing feelings of apology and remorse and the determination toensure that such a tragedy would never occur again.
Although there is no way to bring back their youth, we believe that the letter andprojects of atonement offered some solace to the victims, who are now advanced inyears, in recovering their honor.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Indonesia, support
has been given for projects conducted by that Government to develop social welfare
facilities there for elderly people over a period of approximately 10 years, starting on
25 March 1997. The projects are now being implemented.
The Asian Women’s Fund has also organized activities to ensure that the comfort
women issue will serve as a lesson of history, and to raise awareness of the issue.
The activities have been based on a determination that, through historical researchand education, the Japanese people will never forget the issue or repeat the same
mistakes.
The Asian Women’s Fund is publishing this booklet to make known what it haslearned about the comfort women issue and to report on the results of its projects.
We hereby express our gratitude to many people who offered support andassistance to the projects both in Japan and overseas. We also, express our deepfelt appreciation to the many Japanese people who made contributions to the Fundwhich made this project possible.

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Table of Contents

1. Who Were the “Comfort Women”? --------------------------------------------- 1
2. How Many Comfort Women Were There? ------------------------------------ 8
3. How did the Comfort Women Issue come to light? ------------------------- 12
4. Establishment of the Asian Women’s Fund, and the Basic Natureof its Projects ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
5. Projects in the Netherlands ----------------------------------------------------- 20
6. Projects in the Philippines ------------------------------------------------------- 25
7. Projects in the Republic of Korea ---------------------------------------------- 29
8. Projects in Taiwan ---------------------------------------------------------------- 33
9. Projects in Indonesia ------------------------------------------------------------- 37
10. Projects to Learn from History ------------------------------------------------ 40
11. Now that the Atonement Projects Have Been Concluded --------------- 42
12. Appendices; Documents Relating to the Comfort Women Issue ------- 47

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1. Who Were the “Comfort Women”?
The so-called “wartime comfort women” were those who were taken to the “comfort
stations” of the former Japanese military during wartime in the past, and forced toprovide sexual services to officers and soldiers.
The comfort stations were first established at the request of the Japanese military
authorities, as part of war efforts in China. According to military documents, private
agents first opened brothels for officers and men stationed in China, around the timeof the Manchurian Incident in 1931. When the war spread to Shanghai after the First
Shanghai Incident in 1932, the first naval comfort station was established for a
Japanese naval brigade posted there. The number of comfort stations increased
rapidly after the Sino-Japanese war broke out in 1937.
It was apparently Yasuji Okamura, at that time the Vice Chief of Staff of the
Shanghai Expeditionary Force, who first promoted the establishment of comfort
stations for the Japanese army. There were apparently a number of reasons given
for their establishment: Japanese military personnel had raped Chinese civilian
women in occupied areas on numerous occasions, and the military hoped toprevent a worsening of anti-Japanese feelings on the part of the Chinese people;
there was a need to prevent the spread of venereal diseases among officers andmen, as otherwise military effectiveness would be reduced; and it was also fearedthat contact with Chinese civilian women could result in the leaking of military
secrets.
It has been reported that Naosaburo Okabe, who had served under Okamura as
Senior Staff Officer of the Shanghai Expeditionary Force, was also involved inorganizing the comfort station system. A written notification of warnings he sent on
27 June 1938, while acting as Chief of Staff of the North China Area Army, reads inpart as follows:“According to various reports, the trigger causing such potent anti-Japanesesentiment is the widespread diffusion of news about rapes committed by Japanesemilitary personnel in various areas. In fact, {these rapes} have fomented
unexpectedly profound anti-Japanese feelings.” (Quoted from Yoshimi, Yoshiaki,“Comfort Women”, 2000, Columbia University Press; p54-55)
And, elsewhere in the document:“Along with strict controls on soldiers’ individual behavior of the aforementioned type,the provision of facilities for sexual comfort as quickly as possible is of great3

importance, {as it will} eliminate cases in which people violate the prohibition {onrape} for lack of facilities.” (Quoted from Yoshimi, Yoshiaki, “Comfort Women”, 2000,
Columbia University Press; p55)
Thus, comfort stations were established as a result of decisions made in those daysat the expeditionary military headquarters.
When the stations were constructed, the military would often designate certain
people as business agents and commission them to bring women from theJapanese homeland. A written request dated 21 December 1937 from the Chief of
Police at the Shanghai Consulate-General of Japan to the Chief of Marine Police in
Nagasaki reads, in part:“The relevant organizations carefully considered ways to provide comfort to theofficers and men and… it was agreed during meetings among members of the Army
Officers’ Bureau at this Consulate and the military police… to establish… military
comfort stations (in actual fact, brothels) at various locations on the front, as part ofthe installations there.”
The Chief of Police at the Shanghai Consulate-General sent a specific request to
relevant authorities in Japan that they facilitate the work of agents after they arrived
in Japan to recruit women. In early 1938, agents canvassed in different parts ofJapan, hoping to employ 3,000 women to serve in the Imperial Army’s comfort
stations in Shanghai. Their efforts were criticized by the police in different parts ofJapan, who equated the agents’ efforts with kidnapping unsuspecting women andsaid that they were tarnishing the honor of the Imperial Army.
The reaction of the Director of the Police Bureau of the Home Ministry was to issue
a memorandum on 23 February 1938, stipulating that all recruited women had
already to be involved in prostitution in Japan, be at least 21 years of age, andobtain permission from their parent or guardian to go overseas. On 4 March thesame year, the Adjutant of the Army Ministry issued a notice with the following
instructions:“In recruiting women domestically to work in the military comfort stations to be set
up in the areas affected by the China Incident {the contemporary Japanese term forthe expansion of hostilities in China into a full-scale ground war in August 1937}, it isfeared that some people have claimed to be acting with the military’s consent andhave damaged the honor of the army, inviting the misunderstanding of the generalpublic….In the future, armies in the field will control the recruiting of women and will
use scrupulous care in selecting people to carry out this task. This task will be4performed in close cooperation with the military police or local police force of thearea.” (Quoted from Yoshimi, Yoshiaki, “Comfort Women”, 2000, Columbia
University Press; p58-59)
The stipulation that the women must be at least 21 was made because theInternational Convention for the Suppression of Traffic in Women and Children,which Japan had ratified, prohibited the prostitution of minors.
As the number of comfort stations increased rapidly, the Home Ministry and the
Army Ministry found themselves increasingly involved in the issue. A documentcompiled within the Police Bureau of the Ministry of Home Affairs, dated 4
November 1938, contains a request that agents be designated in different
prefectures to recruit 400 women: 100 from Osaka Prefecture, 50 from Kyoto
Prefecture, 100 from Hyogo Prefecture, 100 from Fukuoka Prefecture, and 50 from
Yamaguchi Prefecture. The recruitment, which was to be carried out in a top-secretfashion, was in response to a request from two men: (i) Arifumi Kumon, who was a
Major in the army’s aviation squad and a staff officer in the Furusho’s Army of theSouth China Expeditionary Force, and (ii) the head of the Enlistment Division of the
Army Ministry. Their request was: “Please help… sending… about 400 women forthe purpose of prostitution… at comfort stations of the Southern China
Expeditionary Force.”
Right from the beginning, there were also requests for comfort women from Taiwan
and Korea. The above-mentioned document from the Police Bureau of the Home
Ministry, dated, 14 November 1938, states: “Arrangements have already been madethrough the office of the Governor-General of Taiwan to transport about 300 womenfrom Taiwan.”
According to research by Zhu Delan, after the Japanese navy occupying the islandof Hainan sent a request, in 1939, to the naval office in Taiwan, the office asked
Taiwan Takushoku Co., Ltd., to become involved. The company, which wasestablished in order to promote Japanese state policy, constructed comfort stationbuildings on Hainan, chose agents, and gave them money. The agents, who wereJapanese, then took women in their employ to Hainan. These women were destined
to become comfort women, and were “at least 21 years old and already involved in
prostitution.” In this case, it would appear that the rules in effect in the Japanese
homeland were also applied when recruiting in Taiwan, although whether they werealways followed is unknown. Because in ratifying the International Convention for
the Suppression of Traffic in Women and Children in 1925, the Japanese
government excluded the colonies from its application.

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When recruiters commissioned by the military were assisted by the police in Korea,
it is not known whether they followed the Police Bureau’s rules, as set out in theabove-mentioned memorandum of February 1938. It is natural to assume that, inthe beginning, the women sent from Korea were already involved in prostitution, butthat, over time, women from poor families mainly came to be taken. They wereenticed or coerced in a variety of ways. There is clear evidence that, even in theearly days, some were told lies about what their work would be. Some women were
coerced into going against their will, either through deceit or force. It is also known
that many women taken from Korea were under the age of 21, something notallowed in the Japanese homeland. Some were no more than 16 or 17, and had
been in no previous contact with the world of prostitution. They were chosenbecause, being young and innocent, they would be free of venereal disease. It wasalso assumed that, because they were Korean, they would have no contact with
Chinese people, meaning there was little chance they would divulge military secrets.
It would seem that, right from the beginning, rules followed in the Japanese
homeland were ignored in Korea, and that perhaps no attempt was made to enforce
the rule.
After the Pacific War broke out on 8 December 1941, Japan attacked Singapore,
the Philippines, Burma and the East Indies (Indonesia). The military occupation
swept south, spreading comfort stations with it. As the occupation widened, it
appears that there was a definite change in the way women were recruited for the
comfort stations in the new southern territories. A 14 January 1942 reply from the
Minister for Foreign Affairs contained the following sentence: “Because it would not
be advisable to issue passports to such types of people going abroad, they should
be issued military certificates and transported on ships commissioned by the
military.”
It appeared that the transport of comfort women to those territories came to beunder the control of the Japanese military without any intervention of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs, the Home Ministry, and the police. As a result, the rules set out inthe above-mentioned Home Ministry memorandum did not apply.
Sometime between the end of February and the beginning of March 1942, thecommander of the Taiwan Army received a message from the Southern Army
General Command requesting “50 native comfort women, or as close to that
number as possible, to be sent” to Borneo. The commander ordered the military
police to conduct a survey and choose three agents. The three agents recruited thewomen and took them to Borneo.

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We can assume that the Southern Army General Command also requested that the
Headquarters of the Korea Army send Korean women. According to documentscompiled by the U.S. military, the Japanese military headquarters in Seoul
contacted agents in May 1942, asking the possibility of recruiting women for“comfort services” in Burma. The agents agreed to do so. The military designatedcertain agents and apparently had them recruit women. Then, 703 Korean womenleft Korea.
In one documented case, a Korean couple, operating a restaurant in Seoul, were
contacted by the military police headquarters. They agreed to take on the job ofgathering women and girls and recruited 20 Koreans. With the payment of 300-1000
yen in the currency of that time to their parents, the couple believed that they boughtthese girls and that they became the couple’s own property. This could beconsidered as the advance payment by which these girls were bound. It seems thatthe advance payments indicated, as far as the couple was concerned, that they had
control over the women and girls. According to information given by the women andgirls, at the time of recruitment, twelve of the twenty recruits were under 21 years ofage — one was 17, three were 18, seven were 19, one was 20, and eight were 23
or older. If this information is correct, it would seem to be clear that the conditions
stipulated by the Police Bureau in 1938 for recruitment in Japan were ignored.
It appears that the women and girls were not clearly told they would be required toserve as comfort women.
“The nature of this ‘service’ was not specified, but it was assumed to be work
connected with visiting the wounded in hospitals, rolling bandages, and generally
making the soldiers happy. The inducement used by those agents was plenty ofmoney, an opportunity to pay off the family debts, easy work, and the prospect of a
new life in a new land — Singapore. On the basis of those false representations
many girls enlisted for overseas duty and were rewarded with an advance of a few
hundred yen.” (Page 203, Volume 5 of Seifu Chousa “Juugun Ianfu” Kankei Shiryou
Shuusei (Compilation of Government-collected Documentary Materials Relating to
Wartime “Comfort Women” by the Asian Women’s Fund))In such cases the agents tricked them, basically recruiting them against their will.
One can assume that, at times, during the Pacific War, the Southern Army General
Command would request the Japanese Armies in Korea and Taiwan to makearrangements; the military police would then choose agents, and the agents would
recruit women there and transport them south on ships commissioned for militaryuse. In many cases, the fact that they would become comfort women was
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concealed from them. During the Pacific War, women were also gathered in Japan
to be sent as comfort women, as they had been before.
Women in the Philippines, the East Indies (Indonesia) and elsewhere were also
forced to become comfort women. It is well known that at Semarang, Indonesia,
some Dutch women internees were coerced into becoming comfort women. In thePhilippines, violence against women was frequent. In many cases, a woman would
first be raped, then taken away, confined in a military facility, and raped
continuously for a certain period. The facilities were not officially recognized by the
military as comfort stations, but they served the same purpose for the local military.
Research by Aiko Kurasawa shows that the recruitment of comfort women inIndonesia was often done through the heads of residential districts or neighborhoodgroups. The general pattern seems to have been that village officials would receivea request from the occupying forces, and would act on the request. We can assume
it was not uncommon for women to be taken against their will.
A report on comfort stations on Celebes indicates that 18 stations in rural areas
were all staffed by comfort women native to the island. According to the report,
there were different types of comfort stations. In relation to one type of the station,an army colonel and a navy lieutenant were mentioned as responsible for a few
stations managed by the squad. Other comfort station was managed by a Japanese
civilian and supervised by military headquarters. Also, there was a case of the
management by local people and its supervision by the head of the garrison. The
report’s references to comfort women invariably gave the impression of “prostitutes
working under their own volition” or “women who wanted to be recruited.” However,
the report was compiled at the request of the prosecutor in charge of court-martials
conducted by the Dutch military, so the testimony of the accused Japanese may
have been colored by a desire to escape punishment.
In Indonesia, like in the Philippines, some squads brought women forcibly tofacilities they had constructed on their own, and used the facilities like a comfort
station.
Women at comfort stations were forced to render sexual services to many officers
and men, their human dignity trampled upon.
The records of a prisoner-of-war interrogation conducted by the US military include
the claim that, at a comfort station run by a Korean in Myitkyina, Burma, the women
were free to go on outings, participated in sports, and had picnics, giving theimpression that the comfort woman had an elegant lifestyle. However, we can8assume that the Korean manager was exaggerating in an attempt to evade being
held responsible during the interrogation. In no way could life at warfront comfort
stations have been considered elegant.
As the war situation deteriorated for Japan, life at the comfort stations generally
became even more miserable. The women were forced to follow the military timeafter time, and had no freedom whatsoever. When the Japanese military began
retreating from one place to another in Southeast Asia, the women were either
abandoned or destined to share their fate with defeated military.

92. How Many Comfort Women Were There?
No survey has been done to determine accurately how many women were taken to
the comfort stations of the former Japanese military, what proportion of them werefrom Korea, or how many did not return from the battlefields.
First of all, there are no documents with comprehensive data one could use todetermine the total number. We can assume that such documents were nevercompiled. There are, however, various opinions on the total number of comfort
women, all based on estimates made by researchers.
Estimates vary, depending on the basic assumption applied and the related
methodology selected by the person conducting the research. One method is totake the total number of military personnel stationed overseas during the PacificWar, then postulate how many personnel there would have been per comfort
woman. This method includes consideration of the replacement rate for comfort
women, since some were brought to replenish the numbers of others being
repatriated. The method, first used by Ikuhiko Hata, was adopted by Yoshiaki
Yoshimi in his published writings and is now accepted by many researchers.
Taking the case of the 21st Army in 1939, Yoshimi estimated 1 comfort woman forevery 100 military personnel. He put the total number of personnel at 3,000,000
men, giving 30,000. Yoshimi then multiplied this number by a replacement rate of
1.5, to give a total of 45,000 comfort women.
Then taking a different tack, Yoshimi applied common saying used among agents toestimate 1 comfort woman for every 30 military personnel. This gave 100,000,
which he multiplied by a replacement rate of 2.0 to give 200,000 comfort women.
These two calculations yield a low of 50,000 and a high of 200,000, giving us arough idea of how many comfort women there were.
A scholar of China published different estimates in 1999, taking the second figure
calculated by Yoshimi (100,000) but multiplying it by replacement rates ranging from
3.5 to 4.0, to arrive at a range of from 360,000 to 410,000 comfort women. These
numbers, too, are of course based only on hypotheses.
Ikuhiko Hata, in his first book (1993), posits 1 comfort woman for every 50 military
personnel, and a replacement rate of 1.5. With the number of military personnel
stationed overseas at 3,000,000, the calculation yields 60,000 x 1.5 = 90,000
comfort women. In 1998, he published a paper repudiating Yoshimi’s figures and10the calculation method he himself had used in his first book, but his second book(1999) reinstates the calculation method because, “however mediocre it may be, it
seems to be the most trustworthy.” However, in the second book, he reduces thenumber of military personnel from 3,000,000 to 2,500,000, and posits 1 comfort
woman for every 150 military men (after considering the fact that there were200,000 licensed prostitutes in Japan and a potential total of 30 million customers).
Using these figures, Hata calculated 16,000 women multiplied by a replacement
rate of less than 1.5 to yield 20,000 comfort women.
Obviously, these calculations all depend on both the estimated number of military
personnel per comfort woman and the replacement rate. Here, it is worth
mentioning this written record: “Brought in a group of comfort women — 1 woman
for 100 soldiers.” This record from an April 1939 report of the head of the medicalsquad of the 21st Army in Shanghai, appears in a memo in the Operations Journalof Setsuzo Kinbara, Chief of the Medical Affairs Section in the Medical Affairs
Department of the War Ministry.
If we use this ratio of 1 comfort woman per 100 military personnel, and if we
estimate that on average a soldier went to a comfort station once a month, we could
posit that each comfort woman was visited by five soldiers in one day, with anaverage 10 days off per month. Since women would sometimes have been unable
to work because of sickness, we can accept these estimates as being close toactual numbers.
When discussing the ethnic origin of the women, Kim Il Myon asserts that “80 to90%” of all comfort women were Korean, for a total of 170,000 to 200,000 Korean
comfort women. However, no statistics exist to back up any of these estimates. A
careful reading of all available documents shows that many of the women wereindeed from Korea, but probably not the overwhelming majority. After all, many of
the women were Japanese.
G.J. McDougal, the Special Rapporteur for the UN Sub-Commission on Preventionof Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, presented a report to the SubCommittee on 22 June 1998 entitled Contemporary Forms of Slavery: SystematicRape, Sexual Slavery and Slavery-like Practices During Armed Conflict. The report
has an appendix entitled An Analysis of the Legal Liability of the Government ofJapan for ‘Comfort Women Stations’ established during the Second World War. The
appendix includes the following passage: “Between 1932 and the end of the Second
World War, the Japanese Government and the Japanese Imperial Army forced over
200,000 women into sexual slavery in rape centers throughout Asia.” “Only about 25
per cent of these women are said to have survived these daily abuses.” These11

numbers are based on “a 1975 [sic.] statement by Seijuro Arafune, Liberal
Democratic Party member of the Japanese Diet, that 145,000 Korean sex slaves
had died during the Second World War.”It would not be appropriate to label all comfort stations as “rape centers.”
Furthermore, as explained above, there are no grounds for stating definitively that
there were more than 200,000 comfort women. And there is certainly no basis forthe categorical assertion that 145,000, or about three-quarters of the supposed total
number, died, and that all of these were Korean.
McDougal’s data came from a paper by Karen Parker and Jennifer Chew. However,Parker had simply written that she had heard the figure from a Japanese woman
who was a Diet member. The Diet member’s data came from a speech by Seijuro
Arafune, made on 20 November 1965 at a constituents’ meeting at Chichibu City,
Saitama Prefecture. Part of the speech, which was quite inflammatory, went asfollows:“During the war, Koreans were told that they were now Japanese. This was topersuade them to place money in deposit accounts. They deposited 110 billion yen,and the money was all lost at the end of the war. Now they are demanding that themoney be returned. They say, ‘Give us back Korea’s wealth, the wealth Japanesebureaucrats held on to during 36 years of rule.’ They say Koreans were drafted by
Japan during the war and taken from Korea to work, and those who worked well
were used as soldiers, and 576,000 of those soldiers are now dead. There areclaims that 142,000 Korean comfort women are dead, killed by the Japanesemilitary’s sexual abuses. Now they are demanding pensions for a total of 900,000
victims. At first, 5 billion dollars was claimed as compensation, but the sum has
been whittled down and now they say they are willing to settle for 300 million
dollars.”
During the Korea-Japan Treaty negotiations (up to 1965), representatives of the
Republic of Korea stated that 1,032,684 Koreans had been recruited to serve aslaborers, soldiers, and personnel attached to the Japanese military, and that
102,603 of these had been injured or had died. At the time, no mention was made of
comfort women.
None of Arafune figures have any basis whatsoever. It is most unfortunate thatSpecial Rapporteur McDougal, who held a responsible position working for a United
Nations organization, relied on such an untrustworthy source.

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The same Chinese scholar learned of Arafune’s speech from the paper written by
Kim Il Myon, accepted it, and used the figure of 142,000 Korean comfort women to
estimate that there were 200,000 Chinese comfort women, out of the 360,000 to
410,000 he estimated to have existed in total. This mistaken conjecture, too, issimply based on Arafune’s inflammatory remarks.
We can, of course, assume that many comfort women who survived were unable toreturn to their own countries. All nurses who survived probably returned, but it is
known that some comfort women were ashamed of the situation they had been
forced into, and did not return.
The Pacific War ended on 15 August 1945, but the cessation of hostilities did notbring peace of mind to the surviving victims. Those who gave up the idea of
returning to their own home places/countries decided to remain in a foreign land,staying there for the rest of their days. In many cases, those who returned homewere suffering from injuries and went on to lead miserable lives, unable to forget
past cruelties. Many suffered from physical disabilities and venereal disease, andwere unable to bear children. Others could not marry. And those who did eventually
marry often had to conceal their past, unable to tell others of the pain they felt intheir hearts. This would have been one of the heaviest burdens to bear.
The women have lived for more than half a century after the war, suffering
practically as much as they did during the several years they spent in military
comfort stations.

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3. How did the Comfort Women Issue Come to Light?
It cannot be said that people in Japan were completely unaware that there werecomfort women during wartime. Those who went to war knew, at least to someextent, that they existed. But there was almost no awareness of the issue as asocial problem. Beginning around 1965, those interested in Japan-Korean relations
generally knew that there had been comfort women, and that their experiences werethe cruelest outcome of Japan’s colonization of Korea. But the victims were thoughtof only as people who were part of history.
When a campaign for girls to join a girls volunteer labor corps (during the war, girls
were mobilized to work at factories mostly munition industries) was launched in
Korea in 1943, toward the end of the war period, the rumor spread that corps
members would be forced to become comfort women. The Governor-General’s
office denied the rumors, saying they were being spread maliciously andintentionally without foundation, but this only caused people to believe the rumors
even more. This shows that the existence of the comfort women system was not
unknown in Korea in 1945. Even after liberation, however, the issue was probably
something people preferred not to discuss.
The issue was finally taken up and discussed openly in the Republic of Korea after
democratization in 1987. Yun Chung-Ok published an article giving information on
the issue in the Hankyoreh Newspaper in January 1990. The issue gained
prominence at a time when greater attention was being paid to the history ofJapanese-Korean relations and demands for an apology.
The issue suddenly hit a nerve among the people in the Republic of Korea after agovernment representative on the House of Councilors’ Budget Committee replied
to a question of a Diet member as follows, on 6 June 1990:“After listening to elderly people and piecing together what they say, it appears thatthe wartime comfort women were taken by private entrepreneurs to different places,
going where the military went. Frankly, even if one were to conduct an inquiry into
the circumstances, it would not yield any results.”
In the Republic of Korea, this answer was strongly criticized for denying the
involvement of the Japanese state and military, and for denying the possibility of an
inquiry being held. On 17 October 1990, 37 women’s organizations in the Republicof Korea joined forces with a group studying the volunteer corps, issued adeclaration criticizing the response of the Japanese Government’s representative,
and presented the Japanese Government with six demands: (i) acknowledge that14

the comfort women were forcibly taken away; (ii) issue a public apology; (iii) conduct
an investigation to discover what really happened and disclose the findings; (iv)construct a monument to commemorate the victims; (v) pay compensation to thevictims or their surviving heirs; and (vi) establish educational programs to raiseawareness of the history behind the issue.
These demands were widely reported in Japan around the end of the year, and theissue was again raised in the Diet. But the decisive moment came when one victim,
Kim Hak Soon, came forward in Seoul in the summer of 1991 and demanded thatJapan take responsibility. Ms. Kim was the only complainant to use her own namein a lawsuit demanding compensation for Pacific War victims. The lawsuit was
lodged in December 1991.
These developments created a shock in Japan, and a movement promoted mainly
by women quickly gained ground in the country. On 10 January 1992, Yoshiaki
Yoshimi, a Chuo University professor, announced the existence of documents
proving the involvement of the Japanese military. One of these documents was thewritten notification of warnings quoted above, drawn up by Naosaburo Okabe, theChief of Staff of the North China Area Army. Yoshimi’s revelations caused a
sensation, and the Japanese Government also came to launch a full-scale inquiry.
The results of the inquiry were released in two parts, the first on 6 July 1992 by
then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Kato, and the second on 4 August 1993 by
then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono, when he issued a statement on thismatter (Appendix 1). The Councillors’ Office on External Affairs, Cabinet Secretariat
released the results of its study in a report (Appendix 2 ) that presented informationfrom documents held by institutions in Japan and abroad, and from testimony given
during hearings with relevant people in Japan and victims in Seoul. The report listed
pertinent documents and other materials: 117 in the Defense Agency’s National
Institute for Defense Studies; 54 in the Diplomatic Record Office of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs; 4 held by the then-Ministry of Health and Welfare; 2 held by thethen-Ministry of Education; 21 in the National Archives of Japan; 17 in the National
Diet Library; and 19 held by the National Archives and Records Administration of
the United States.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono’s statement (see Appendix 1) outlined what theGovernment had learned through its inquiry, and announced decisions taken as aresult. Part of the statement read as follows:“Comfort stations were operated in response to the request of the military authoritiesof the day. The then Japanese military was, directly or indirectly, involved in the15

establishment and management of the comfort stations and the transfer of comfort
women. The recruitment of the comfort women was conducted mainly by private
recruiters who acted in response to the request of the military. The Government
study has revealed that in many cases they were recruited against their own will,through coaxing, coercion, etc. and that, at times, administrative/military personnel
directly took part in the recruitments. They lived in misery at comfort stations undera coercive atmosphere.
“Undeniably, this was an act, with the involvement of the military authorities of theday, that severely injured the honor and dignity of many women. The Government ofJapan would like to take this opportunity once again to extend its sincere apologies
and remorse to all those, irrespective of place of origin, who suffered immeasurable
pain and incurable physical and psychological wounds as comfort women. It is
incumbent upon us, the Government of Japan, to continue to consider seriously,
while listening to the views of learned circles, how best we can express thissentiment.
We shall face squarely the historical facts as described above instead of evading
them, and take them to heart as lessons of history. We hereby reiterate our firm
determination never to repeat the same mistake by forever engraving such issues inour memories through the study and teaching of history.”
This statement represented the Japanese Government’s understanding and stanceregarding the comfort women issue. Once the statement had been made, vigorous
debate continued for some time on how to express the Government’s feelings ofapologies and remorse.
The victims who came forward were very instrumental in highlighting the issue insociety at large. As of November 2002, the Government of the Republic of Korea
had registered as victims 207 people from among those who have come forward
and notified the Government. Seventy-two had died as of November 2002. In
Taiwan, it has been reported that 36 of all registered victims are still alive.
But it is essential not to forget that those who came forward are just a very small
fraction of all of the victims. Many have already passed away, and others do notwish to identify themselves.

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4. Establishment of the Asian Women’s Fund, and the Basic
Nature of Its Projects
In 1994, a coalition Government headed by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama wasinaugurated in Japan. The coalition was formed by the Liberal Democratic Party ofJapan, the Socialist Party, and the New Party Sakigake. On 31 August 1994, thePrime Minister issued a statement looking ahead to the 50th anniversary of the endof the war (Appendix 3), expressing once more his “profound and sincere remorse
and apologies” with regard to the comfort women issue, and stating his desire tofind “an appropriate way which enables a wide participation” of Japanese people inorder to share such feelings of apology and remorse.
Following up on the Prime Minister’s statement, the three ruling parties launched a“Project To Deal with Issues Fifty Years After the War,” and established the Subcommittee To Address the Wartime Comfort Women Issue. The sub-committee thenbegan examining the issue.
The ruling parties and members of the government administration examined thestance taken by the Japanese Government until then. The Government’s position
has always been that the issues of reparation, material restitution and the right toclaim compensation for events in the war had already been dealt with by the San
Francisco Peace Treaty, bilateral treaties and other relevant accords, and thatJapan had acted in accordance with those treaties and accords. The opinion wasstated that, for this reason, Japan could not offer compensation to individuals. Some
members of the ruling parties objected strongly and said Japan should pay
compensation to individuals. The disagreement subsided due to the need for aquick resolution, and on 7 December 1994 the First Report on the So-called
Wartime Comfort Women Issue was released (Appendix 4).
The report stated, “Japan must, from a moral standpoint, …fulfill its responsibility”
for the so-called comfort women issue, “showing the atonement of the Japanese
Government and people, through expressions of apology and remorse to the former
so-called wartime comfort women.” The report proposed the following specificmeasures: that the three ruling parties establish a Fund which would encompass theparticipation of the Japanese people; that the Fund implement measures for former
comfort women; that the Fund support activities which aim to raise awareness of,prevent, address and resolve contemporary problems offending the honor anddignity of women, such as violence against women, in order to ensure that past
mistakes are never repeated; and that the Government cooperate with the Fund to
the greatest extent possible, including the provision of financial support.

17

Respecting the report’s recommendations, the Government decided to acknowledge
moral responsibility for the comfort women issue, establish a Fund in cooperation
with the people of Japan, promote projects expressing the atonement of theJapanese Government and people to the former comfort women, and promote otherprojects aimed at the resolution of contemporary problems faced by women.
As a first step, the government budget for fiscal 1995 set aside 480 million yen to
subsidize the Fund’s expenses. Then on 14 June 1995, Chief Cabinet Secretary
Kozo Igarashi explained the proposed objectives of Josei no Tameno Ajia Heiwa
Yuko Kikin (the name was provisional at the time, in English, Asian Peace andFriendship Foundation for Women), announced the names of proponents who
would call for the Fund’s establishment (Appendix 6), and defined the Government’s
role as follows: (i) the Fund will call for donations from a wide spectrum of Japanesesociety as a way to enact the Japanese people's atonement for the former comfort
women; (ii) the Fund will support those conducting medical and welfare projects andother similar projects which are of service to former comfort women, through the useof government funding and other funds; (iii) when these projects are implemented,
the Government will express the nation's feelings of sincere remorse and apology to
the former comfort women; and (iv) the Government will collate historical documents
relating to the comfort women, to serve as a lesson of history. The Chief Cabinet
Secretary also clearly stated that the Fund would, through the use of government
funding and other funds, support those who undertook projects aimed at resolving
contemporary problems, such as violence against women.
On 18 July 1995, Prime Minister Murayama’s statement regarding the Fund
(Appendix 8) and the Fund proponents’ “Appeal for Donations for the Asian
Women’s Fund” (Appendix 7) were made public at a press conference. The
following day, 19 July 1995, the first Directors’ meeting was held, and the Josei no
Tameno Ajia Heiwa Kokumin Kikin (in English, National Fund for Asian Peace and
Women), or in short, the Ajia Josei Kikin (in English, the Asian Women’s Fund), wasofficially established. At the end of that month, Bunbei Hara, the previous Presidentof the House of Councilors, was chosen as the Fund’s President.
The year 1995 was the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, and on 15 August
full-page advertisements in the morning editions of six national newspapers covered
Prime Minister Murayama’s Statement regarding the Fund and the Fund
proponents’ appeal. Also, before noon on this day, a statement by Prime Minister
Murayama on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war (seeAppendix 10) was released. The new statement reflected decisions taken by the
Cabinet, and included these words:

18

“During a certain period in the not too distant past, Japan followed mistaken national
policies and took the road to war, ensnaring the Japanese people in a fateful crisis
and inflicting, through colonial rule and aggression, great damage and pains on
people in many countries, especially in Asia. Regarding in all humility theseirrefutable facts of history, and in the hope that no such mistake will be made in the
future, I express once more my feeling of deep remorse and state my heartfelt
apology.”On that day, the Fund received 14.55 million yen in donations. By the end of themonth, 37.78 million yen had been donated. Donations reached 133.75 million yen
by the end of 1995, more than 200 million by March 1996, more than 300 million by
April, and more than 400 million by June of that year.
The Government of the Republic of Korea welcomed the Fund’s establishment withsuch comments as “there is an element of public support for some projects,
involving financial resources from the government budget”; “there was astraightforward expression of remorse and apology, given by the state to thoseconcerned”; and “statements included a clearly expressed desire to discover what
happened and to use that information as a lesson of history.” These were welcomed
as “sincere measures.”
However, many activist groups in the Republic of Korea demanded that theJapanese Government apologize and provide compensation, and stated that victims
should not receive “remuneration” from “a private organization.” This led to theGovernment of the Republic of Korea changing its stance. After that, the activist
groups insisted that war crimes were at the heart of the issue, and called on theJapanese Government to recognize its legal responsibility and punish those
responsible. The groups brought these demands to the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights and other organizations.
On 4 January 1996, Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Rapporteur of the UN
Commission on Human Rights on Violence against Women, presented a report oninvestigations of the comfort women issue conducted in North Korea, the Republicof Korea and Japan. Her report, annexed to a report to the High Commissioner for
Human Rights, regards the comfort women issue as “military sexual slavery,” andasserts that the Japanese Government should accept legal responsibility for theviolation of international law. The Special Rapporteur wrote that the Japanese
Government had accepted moral responsibility for the existence of the comfort
women, and that she “considers this a welcome beginning.” She also wrote that she
saw the Asian Women’s Fund “as an expression of the Japanese Government’s
moral concern for the fate of ‘comfort women.’” However, she stated that this did notexempt the Government from “the legal claims of ‘comfort women’ under public
19international law.” In addition, she called on the Japanese Government to accept
legal responsibility, pay compensation, make a full disclosure of documents andmaterials in its possession, issue a public apology, raise awareness by amending
educational curricula to reflect historic realities, and punish perpetrators as far as
possible.
Against this background, members of the newly established Asian Women’s Fund— the proponents, Directors and Advisory Committee members — collaborated in
discussions aimed at developing a framework for Fund projects. Then, after
discussions with relevant government officials, decisions were taken regarding thefundamentals for Fund projects. These fundamentals were detailed in the second
pamphlet entitled “Jyugun Ianfu” ni Sareta Katagata eno Tsugunai no Tameni (Forthe Atonement to Those Women were Forced to become ‘Comfort Women’), which
was published in September 1996.
Based on the recognition by the Japanese government of its moral responsibility
and its clear expression of remorse and apology, it was decided that the Asian
Women’s Fund together with the government implements the national atonement
projects participated by both the government and the people of Japan. The projects
were to be implemented for former comfort women who had been recognized assuch by the authorities of the relevant country or region, or by private organizationscommissioned by the authorities
The projects expressing the atonement of the Japanese Government and people
have three major elements. The first element is the provision of “atonement money”
from the Japanese people to former comfort women. The money, 2 million yen perperson, comes from Japanese people’s donations.
Secondly, the former comfort women are presented with a letter from the Prime
Minister of Japan. (see Appendix 11). The letter indicates that at the heart of the
comfort women issue is the fact that the honor and dignity of women were gravely
affronted with the involvement of the former Japanese military, acknowledges moral
responsibility for these facts, and expresses heartfelt feelings of apology andremorse to all those who underwent many painful experiences and suffered
incurable trauma. The letter also states a resolve to face up squarely to history andaccurately convey that history to future generations. The letter is presented to each
former comfort woman by the Asian Women’s Fund, together with a letter from the
President of the Fund (see Appendix 12), to indicate even more clearly to thevictims the position of the Japanese Government and people.
The third element is medical and welfare support projects. These projects are
implemented to fulfill the moral responsibility that the Japanese Government has
20acknowledged, and involve the disbursement of a total of about 830 million yen fromgovernment funds over a 5-year period, for victims’ medical care and welfare. The
amount provided in each country or region was adjusted to take into account thecost of living there — the equivalent of 3 million yen per recipient was decided upon
for the Republic of Korea and Taiwan, and 1.2 million yen per recipient for thePhilippines. Although the program is applied differently in the Netherlands, theamount provided was equivalent to 3 million yen per recipient.
Projects to learn from history also form a fundamental part of the Fund’s activities. A
Committee on Historical Materials on Comfort Women was established within theFund to promote the collection and publication of materials relating to the comfort
women issue.
The Asian Women’s Fund began with projects in the Philippines, the Republic ofKorea, and Taiwan. During its first two years of operation, the Fund received
donations totaling 400 million yen, but the amount grew more slowly thereafter. In
August 2000, the 6th year of operation, the total amount of donations had reached
448 million yen. The Fund therefore decided on a bold measure, launching its“Campaign 2000” in September 2000 as a way to call for more donations. Since
then an additional amount of more than 116 million yen has been donated, making a
total of 565 million yen as of October 2002.
The projects began in August 1996 in the Philippines, in January 1997 in the
Republic of Korea, and in May 1997 in Taiwan. Each project had the time span offive years, and all were concluded by September 2002. A total of 285 victims
received atonement money in those countries and region. Thus, 5 million yen more
was disbursed than the amount donated by the Japanese people. To make up the
difference, the Fund disposed of some endowments that had been establishedthrough donations from the private sector, making it possible for a total of 570
million yen to be provided as atonement money to the victims.
Atonement projects were also implemented in the Netherlands, beginning in July
1998. In that country, the Fund’s projects took on a different character, offering only
medical and welfare support and the Prime Minister’s letter. The projects were
implemented for 79 people there, and were concluded in July 2001.
In Indonesia, the Fund is supporting the development of welfare facilities for theelderly, including former comfort women, using financial resources from theJapanese Government. The Indonesian Government requested that the projects be
implemented in this way, rather than through measures benefiting individual former
comfort women directly.

21

5. Projects in the Netherlands(a) Background
The former Netherlands East Indies is present-day Indonesia. The Japanesemilitary occupied the Dutch colony in 1942 during the Pacific War, then placed
Dutch nationals in internment facilities and prisoner-of-war camps (90,000 civilians,
40,000 military personnel). Some members of the Japanese occupation forces
forcibly took Dutch nationals from both inside and outside of the internee camps to
comfort stations in Semarang and elsewhere in Asia, and compelled them to rendersexual services to Japanese officers and men. After the war, some Japanese
officers who had forcibly taken interned women to comfort stations were tried inmilitary tribunals in Indonesia as Class B and Class C war criminals, and some ofthem were then executed.
When the Netherlands signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty, in accordance with
Article 14 of the Treaty, it waived all reparation claims, claims to material restitution
and the right for claim both at national and individual levels. The position was that,
although Japan had an obligation to pay reparations, it was not possible to obtain
payment in light of the need to maintain the possibility for Japan’s economic survival.
With regard to the persons who had suffered hardships as prisoners of war, Japan
paid compensation under Article 16 of the Treaty through the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). However, the interned civilians were notsubject to the provisions of Article 16, and from the point of view of civilian
sentiment, this situation was not acceptable. In this regard, on 7 and 8 September
1951, just before the Netherlands signed the San Francisco Treaty, Foreign Ministerof the Netherlands Dirk Stikker exchanged letters with Prime Minister of Japan
Shigeru Yoshida, and both sides came to an agreement under which theGovernments of the Netherlands stated that it did not consider that waiving
reparations claims under Article 14(b) of the Treaty would extinguish the right ofindividual Dutch nationals to claim compensation. In response to this, the Japanese
Government stated that it did not consider that the private right to claim of nationalsof the Netherlands would immediately become non-existent, but that, under thePeace Treaty, allied nationals would not be able to obtain satisfaction regarding
such claims, although there were certain types of private claims of allied nationals
which the Japanese Government might wish to deal with voluntarily.
The Stikker-Yoshida Agreement eventually led to the signing, on 13 March 1956, of
the Protocol between the Government of Japan and the Government of theKingdom of the Netherlands Relating to Settlement of the Problem Concerning
22

Certain Types of Private Claims of Netherlands Nationals. The Government ofJapan tendered the amount of 10 million dollars “voluntarily” to the Government of
the Netherlands “in order to express sincere remorse and regrets for the irreparable
pain suffered by the Dutch Nationals.”
In this way, the Peace Treaty legally settled the post-war issues between Japan and
the Netherlands, and the above-mentioned Protocol between the two countries
confirmed that the Government of the Netherlands would not make any claim
against the Japanese Government. Despite the measures set out in the Protocol,
however, the incurable physical and psychological trauma suffered by the victims
during World War II still remained.
Thus, for example, the Foundation of Japanese Honorary Debts (JES, established in
the Netherlands in 1990) demanded that the Japanese Government recognize legal
responsibility and pay compensation. It began a campaign demanding about 20,000
dollars per person. JES also took up the issue of comfort women. The standpoint of
JES was that only the Japanese Government was directly responsible forcompensation.
Immediately after the Asian Women’s Fund was established in 1995, the Foreign
Ministry of Japan began preparations to facilitate implementation of Asian Women’s
Fund projects in the Netherlands. Because the right to claim reparation for war
damage had been already settled through the San Francisco Peace Treaty, theGovernment of the Netherlands urged Japan to speak directly with those concerned.
As the result, discussions took place with those who were related to the JES.
It appeared that in choosing the type of projects to be implemented, the wishes of
the Governments of the Netherlands was taken into account, and that it was
carefully considered how to achieve a balance with the types of projects alreadybeing discussed for other countries. During the discussions, payments to individual
victims were requested by the Dutch side. After long negotiations, it was agreed that
medical and welfare assistance was to be provided for the individuals and the total
amount of the fund from the Japanese Government was to be 255 million yen.
In order to implement the above projects, from the Dutch side an organization had
to be erected. Under Dutch law, an organization must have the legal status andindependence to work together with other parties and to operate independently.
General of Army (ret.) G.L.J. Huyser was willing to establish such a foundation,
namely, Project Implementation Committee in the Netherlands (PICN). As the firstchairman of the PICN, General ret. Huyser signed the Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) between the PICN and the AWF on 15 July 1998. On behalf
23

of the AWF, Tatsuo Yamaguchi, then the Vice-President signed the MOU. On thesame day, the then-Prime Minister of Japan, Ryutaro Hashimoto sent a letter toPrime Minister of the Netherlands, Willem Kok (See Appendix 14), expressing theJapanese Government’s feelings of apology and remorse for the comfort womenissue. The letter, as explained below, was said to have brought former comfort
women a great solace.
(b) Project implementation
In accordance with the MOU, the AWF was to grant 255 million yen to the PICN withthe purpose to improve the living conditions of Dutch victims, as a way to express
the feelings of atonement of the Japanese Government and people. All of thismoney would be provided from Japanese Government funds. It was decided thatthe entire amount of 255 million, with the exception of a maximum of 10 million yen
for administrative expenses, would be used for victims wishing to participate in the
project.
In August 1998, the PICN launched the projects by placing advertisements innewspapers and other media in the Netherlands and in different parts of the world.
The application deadline was set for 15 March 1999, and applications were received
from 107 people. The PICN followed strict standard criteria when examining theapplications, and approved 79 people as project recipients. Conditions for approval
included Dutch nationality at the time, and that the victim had been forced throughphysical means into prostitution by Japanese occupying forces during World War II.
Other factors considered included location, frequency, nature of trauma, and causesof illness, etc.
Victims approved as recipients were provided with goods and services valued at an
average of approximately 50,000 guilders (3 million yen) per person. In
implementing the project, the PICN first listened to the victims’ wishes regarding
types of medical and welfare services, and designed programmes based on thosewishes. In order to realize the individual programme, financial support was thengiven to individual recipients.
Following the request made by the PICN, a copy of the letter in English from Prime
Minister Hashimoto addressed to Prime Minister Kok of the Netherlands wasdelivered to each victim in April 1999. It repeated the contents of the letter of
apology that the Japanese Prime Minister had written to victims in the Philippines,
the Republic of Korea and Taiwan. The letter began with this sentence: “TheGovernment of Japan is painfully aware of its moral responsibility concerning theissue of so-called wartime comfort women.” The letter also points out that the Asian
24

Women’s Fund implements the projects in order to express the national atonementon the issue and that the Government cooperates with the AWF. It is further madeclear that the purpose of the medical and welfare projects in the Netherlands is to“express atonement of the people of Japan.” The official statement issued in 1995
by the then-Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama was incorporated into the content of
the letter and the words “apology and remorse” were repeated twice conveying
clearly the thoughts behind the medical and welfare projects in the Netherlands.
In November 1998, Mrs. Marguerite Hamer - Monod de Froideville became thePresident of the PICN to succeed General of Army (ret.) Huyser, who then became
PICN Main Advisor.
Many victims, who received financial support from the projects together with a copyof the Prime Minister’s letter, sent messages to President Mrs. Marguerite Hamer Monod de Froideville. These messages included such sentiments as:
•

•

•
•

“I value Mr. Hashimoto’s apology. I sent a copy to my sister to have it
translated. While I was on holiday with the Reuma Fonds (Rheumatism Fund),my husband called me to tell me about the letter.”“I am greatly satisfied with Mr. Hashimoto’s letter. Finally there is some form ofrecognition after all those years. My emotions make me tremble. Thank you
once again for your efforts.”“I am very pleased with the statement made by the Japanese Prime Minister. ”“I herewith thank you in advance for everything you have done for me and will
do. Not only this financial compensation, but also the recognition of all themisery I had to endure as a 15 year-old girl. It salves the open wound, which I
have endured throughout my life. ”

President Mrs. Marguerite Hamer - Monod de Froideville conveyed the content ofthese letters to the Japanese Embassy, and said that “despite the fact that painfrom the past still remained, the recipients’ reactions generally indicated that the
projects had brought some solace, and especially that Prime Minister Hashimoto’s
letter had given the victims a kind of satisfaction, because it communicated theunderstanding of their pain.”
In November 1999, it was reported that a Japanese textbook publisher had applied
to the then-Ministry of Education to change an entry in its junior high school
textbook for social studies by removing the word “forcibly” from the following
sentence: “They were forcibly sent as comfort women to the warfront.” When thiswas made known in the Netherlands, PICN President Mrs. Marguerite Hamer Monod de Froideville, in the name of the victims and the members and advisors of25

the board of PICN, sent a letter dated 15 November 1999 to the Ambassador ofJapan in the Netherlands, strongly objecting to the application made by the textbook
publisher. The news, she wrote, “had been met by an extremely emotional response
from the victims, and was a great shock to their sensitivities.” She went on to saythat “if the textbook entry was watered down, the victims’ feelings would be evenmore gravely hurt.” Changing the entry, she wrote, would go against the words in
Prime Minister Hashimoto’s letter, turning them into a falsehood. It would also makeit possible to say that the very existence of the Asian Women’s Fund and the PICN
represented a sham, and would result in future generations of Japanese not having
a correct understanding of Japan’s history during the World War II period. A copy ofher letter was sent to the Asian Women’s Fund.
In response, the Japanese Government explained that Japan’s textbook
authorization system is based on respect for freedom of expression, gave examplesof the many other entries in Japanese textbooks, and reconfirmed the Japanese
Government’s position concerning the interpretation of history, which had been
indicated in Prime Minister Murayama’s statement.
On 13 July 2001, a ceremony was held in The Hague to mark the conclusion ofatonement projects in the Netherlands. At the ceremony, PICN president Mrs.
Marguerite Hamer - Monod de Froideville said:“Although the Project was established not until 53 years after the end of the War,and although no money in the world can ever compensate for what they had toendure in their young days, yet it did indeed bring a sort of peace to the victims, anda kind of justice to them, which they needed. Their lives really have been improved
thanks to the AWF, not only because of the financial compensation in the form of
the Project money, but also because of the recognition of the wrong doings of thepast Mr. Hashimoto’s letter has conveyed to them.”
Also at the ceremony, deep appreciation to the PICN was delivered throughmessages sent by President of the Asian Women’s Fund Tomiichi Murayama andMinister of Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka.

26

6. Projects in the Philippines(a) Background
In December 1941, Japanese military forces landed on the island of Luzon in thePhilippines, a US territory. Manila quickly surrendered, and a military government
was installed on 3 January 1942. Filipinos mounted a vigorous guerrilla offensive
and organized a resistance movement to oppose Japanese military rule. The
Japanese forces waged a cruel campaign in an attempt to suppress the guerrilla
opposition. Of the 381 cases of Class B and Class C war crimes brought before
post-war military tribunals in the Philippines, almost half involved massacres of local
civilians (138 cases) or rapes (45 cases).
Military comfort stations were constructed in Manila and other occupied cities in thePhilippines. Japanese, Korean and Chinese women were sent to the stations. Manyfrom the Philippines were also cajoled by other means to become comfort women. It
would also appear that, in parts of the Philippines occupied by the military, anumber of women were raped and abducted through violent means, then confinedand forced to provide sexual services. In many of these cases, their fathers or
husbands were killed in front of the women and their other family members.
After the war, the Philippines signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty, legallyresolving issues between Japan and the Philippines with regard to reparations,material restitution and the right to claim for war damage. Then in 1956, Japan and
the Philippines signed a Reparations Agreement, in accordance with Article 14 (a) 1of the Peace Treaty. Under that Agreement, Japan provided the Philippines withservices and goods valued at the equivalent of 550 million dollars.
In June 1992, radio announcements urged those forced to become comfort womenby the Japanese military to come forward. Ms. Maria Rosa L. Henson decided to doso after hearing a broadcast. She met with Ms. Nelia Sancho and other humanrights activists, and gave an account of her experiences. She gave her first press
interview on 18 September 1992. She said that during the occupation, after being
raped the first time, she joined the guerrilla resistance movement, then was
captured, raped again, taken by order of Japanese military headquarters andconfined with other women for nine months, during which time she was raped timeafter time.
Ms. Henson was assisted by LILA-Pilipina, a private organization established by Ms.
Sancho. This organization, which had launched a campaign calling on the Japanese
Government to apologize and pay compensation, was contacted by about 200
27

victims. Supported by LILA-Pilipina, Ms. Henson and 18 other former comfort
women filed a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court in April 1993, demanding that theJapanese Government issue an apology and pay compensation. The plaintiffs,
known as lola (a Tagalog word meaning “grandmother,” or “elderly lady”), eventually
increased in number to 46. The lawsuit failed at the District Court and High Court
levels. On 25 December 2003, the Supreme Court rejected the appeal.
At first, LILA-Pilipina was opposed to the Asian Women’s Fund when it wasestablished in 1995. But some lolas, including Ms. Henson, indicated a desire tobenefit from the Fund’s atonement projects. LILA-Pilipina came to the decision that
accepting the Fund’s atonement money and continuing with the lawsuit werecompatible with one another. A committee was established within LILA-Pilipina tosupport lolas who had decided to accept benefits from the Asian Women’s Fund.
Completing the government application for benefits was a complicated process,because of the documentation that had to accompany the application: the applicant
had to attach a description of conditions at the time when she was forced to become
a comfort woman, a photograph, an affidavit from the local government or nongovernmental organization(NGO) identifying as a former “wartime comfort woman”
based on the knowledge of the war time period, her birth certificate, and her
marriage certificate.
The consultative entity on the Philippine side with ultimate responsibility for theatonement projects was a task force of the Philippine Government called theSpecial Committee to Address the Comfort Women Issue. This Special Committee
was composed of government officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, theDepartment of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Justice, theDepartment of Health, and the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women.
The task force gave authority for the authentication of former comfort women to the
Department of Justice, and gave authority for the implementation of the medical andwelfare support projects to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Application forms and documentation were submitted to the Department of Justice,and their examination then began.
Those recognized as former comfort women were provided with a letter of apology
from the Japanese Prime Minister. The letter was sent from the Embassy of Japanin the Philippines via the Philippine foreign ministry. The Asian Women’s Fundpresented atonement money to the women. In addition, medical and welfare support
projects, funded by the Japanese Government and valued at an equivalent of 1.2
million yen per recipient, were implemented through the Philippine Government’s
Department of Social Welfare and Development.
28

(b) Project implementation
On 13 August 1996, the Asian Women’s Fund announced information on its projects
in Philippine newspapers. The following day, a ceremony at a Manila hotel was held
to mark the provision of atonement project benefits to three of the four people
approved as beneficiaries so far: Maria Rosa Henson, Anastasia Cortez and Rufina
Fernandez. On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Ambassador of Japan presented
the letter to them, and Ms. Makiko Arima, Vice-President of the Asian Women’s
Fund at the time, presented each of them with information on the contents ofatonement projects. Ms. Henson spoke in front of more than 100 reporters gathered
there, expressing her deep happiness that she was seeing the results of a dream
she had thought would never come true. Ms. Cortez spoke next, saying she hadsuffered for more than 50 years, but was glad to have obtained justice andassistance. Ms. Fernandez expressed her thanks for the Japanese Prime Minister’s
apology, and said it was the apology that had persuaded her to be present that day.
During the press conference, when asked whether recent events had made it
possible for her to forgive, Ms. Henson replied that she had been asked thatquestion many times since coming forward in September 1992, and that she had
indeed forgiven — that if she had not forgiven, God would not forgive her.
Later, the three women said they were glad to have used some of the money given
in atonement to undergo physical examinations at a major hospital — it was the firstsuch chance they had had. The medical and welfare support projects were
designed in accordance with such requests of elderly people.
The projects began in the Philippines in January 1997, after the Philippine
Government’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the
Asian Women’s Fund signed a Memorandum. The Fund’s financial resources wereused to hire social workers and provide services in accordance with the wishes ofindividual victims. These services included the provision of wheelchairs andpharmaceuticals, barrier-free renovations, and nursing-care services. Ten social
workers had been hired by the end of 1999, to provide one social worker for about
10 victims. The social workers pay regular visits to the lolas they are assigned to,and carefully monitor the physical and psychological health of the elderly former
comfort women and any changes in their living conditions. In this way, the youngsocial workers also have opportunities to learn from a generation of women who
experienced the war, and to think about war and peace, and about women’s rights.
Applicant authentication was done by public prosecutors attached to the abovementioned Department of Justice of the Philippine Government. Interviews were29

held after receipt of applications, then the documents were verified, further detailed
questions were posed, and each application was either approved or rejected.
Many former comfort women in the Philippines married after the war and live with
their children and grandchildren. Many who did not marry live with members of theirextended family, which often includes one or more nephews, nieces, brothers andsisters. Many who received atonement money said they had lived in poverty,
dependent on family members or neighbors for a long time, and the atonementmoney had made it possible to return the favor before they died. In many cases, theonly money they spent on themselves was for visits to the doctor, using the rest for
their family members and/or neighbors. Family members reported that some of theatonement money was used for such purposes as constructing a small house or aconcrete floor to replace old flooring ruined by a leaky roof, buying rice seedlings
and having their family grow rice, buying a refrigerator and more nutritious food fortheir mothers, and buying a wheelchair for outings. One woman used part of themoney to open a store selling miscellaneous items.
Ms. Cortez, who had received Fund benefits with Ms. Henson in August 1996,bought a house and land, renovated the house, and added rooms for her family tolive with her. She had a phone installed and purchased a VCR and a large TV. She
opened up a small shop facing the street to sell everyday items to students going toand from school. She said that when she was 20 her husband, a soldier in thePhilippine army, had been made a prisoner of war by the Japanese army, but
escaped and returned to her. However, he was quickly recaptured, and they wereboth taken away together by Japanese forces. Her husband was killed in theSantiago Fortress, and she was kept there and frequently raped by Japanese
officers and soldiers over a period of five months. Later she remarried — her
second husband was a policeman who had helped her. She has six children and 25
grandchildren, and lives with four of her children.
LILA-Pilipina eventually decided to help former comfort women who were planning
to receive Fund project benefits. Some people dissatisfied with this decision formed
a new group, Malaya Lolas. However, in January 2000 the members of this group,
too, submitted applications to the Asian Women’s Fund. The Asian Center for
Women’s Human Rights (ASCENT), headed by Ms. Indai Sajor, took the position torespect the wishes of the comfort women and cooperate with those who wish to
accept the projects.
The application deadline was 12 August 2001. All approved applicants received
Fund benefits, and projects in the Philippines have since been concluded.

30

7. Projects in the Republic of Korea(a) BackgroundIn 1965, Japan and the Republic of Korea signed the Korea-Japan Treaty, settling
financial issues regarding colonial rule and establishing diplomatic relations. At thattime, Japan agreed to provide the Republic of Korea with economic assistance inthe form of 300 million dollars in grant aid and 200 million dollars in loans (without
expressing remorse or apologies for the damage and suffering caused by colonialrule), while the Republic of Korea waived all claims for material restitution and theright to claim compensation. As a result, it was recognized that issues between thetwo countries and between their nationals, regarding material restitution and theright to claim compensation, were “completely and finally” resolved.
However, this conclusion met with dissatisfaction in the Republic of Korea. After the
comfort women issue became a matter of contention in the 1990s, the Governmentof the Republic of Korea established a committee to authenticate former comfort
women, and had authenticated 207 as of November 2002. The Government
provides these women with a fixed monthly sum to subsidize their living expenses.
Of the 207 authenticated people, 72 had died, 135 were still alive, with 2 of them
residing outside the country, as of November 2002.
The Government of the Republic of Korea initially showed a favorable stance toward
the establishment of the Asian Women’s Fund. But the stance changed to disfavor,
basically because one non-governmental organization supporting the victims, theKorean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, or“Chongdaehyop,” mounted a vigorous campaign against the Asian Women’s Fund,and because of criticism in the media, as well.
The former comfort women varied considerably in their attitudes. Some criticized theFund and repudiated it. Others were dissatisfied that the Fund was involved, but stillwanted to accept project benefits. Those who had publicly stated they intended toaccept benefits were criticized, and pressure was applied against them. Some ofthese women reluctantly issued another statement repudiating the Asian Women’s
Fund.
The Korean Council promoted a vigorous campaign, taking its cause to the UN
Commission on Human Rights
and working in solidarity with similar groups in other countries. The campaign was
influential in bringing the comfort women issue to the attention of the international
community. At the heart of the Korean Council’s campaign are calls for the31

Japanese Government to acknowledge legal responsibility, apologize, pay
compensation, and punish those responsible.
(b) Project implementation
The Asian Women’s Fund’s position was that it wished to implement projects in the
Republic of Korea for victims so authenticated by the Government of that country. In
August 1996, a Team for Dialogue composed of members of the AWF Advisory
Committee visited the Republic of Korea, met with about a dozen victims, andexplained the Fund’s projects to them. Of the victims who met with the Team for
Dialogue, Kim Hak Soon and two others stated that they repudiated the project of
the Fund. Many of the others took the position that it would be hard to view the
Fund’s measures as sincere, considering that the amount was only 2 million yen perperson.
In December 1996, Ms. Kimiko Kaneda (not her real name) announced that she
appreciated the Fund’s efforts and intended to accept its project benefits. Pressure
was applied against her to refuse them, but soon another six victims announced thatthey too would accept benefits. On 11 January 1997, representing the Fund, its
Director, Teruko Kanehira, gave seven of the victims the Prime Minister’s letter at a
hotel in Seoul.
After the ceremony, Ms. Kanehira gave explanatory materials to different media in
the Republic of Korea, explained details regarding project implementation, andoutlined the Fund’s basic position. However, the media in that country, with only a
few exceptions, criticized the Fund’s project implementation. The Korean Council
also protested, and strong pressure was applied against the seven victims who hadreceived Fund benefits.
Both the victims and the Fund found it hard to bear the fact that the atonementmoney and other benefits had led to pressure being applied on the victims who
received them. The Fund therefore froze its projects temporarily and took steps
hoping to improve conditions for project implementation in the Republic of Korea.
However, a campaign was mounted to collect private donations within the Republicof Korea, to persuade women to refuse Fund project benefits. The donations wereused to provide victims with a fixed amount of assistance money. The seven victims
who had accepted benefits from the Fund’s atonement projects were excluded fromthe program.

32

After some difficult reflection, on 6 January 1998 the Asian Women’s Fund placed
advertisements explaining its projects in four newspapers in the Republic of Korea,
including the Hankyoreh and the Hanguk Ilbo, and announced it was resuming its
projects. Soon after, the Fund received word from some victims that they wished toreceive benefits, and resumed project implementation.
Kim Dae Jung became President of the Republic of Korea in March that year. In
May, the new administration decided that, although it would not demand state
reparations from the Japanese Government, it would pay 31.5 million won (at thetime, about 3.1 million Japanese yen), plus an additional 4.18 million won from
capital collected by the Korean Council (“Chongdaehyop,”) as living expensesubsidies to each former comfort woman who vowed to refuse Asian Women’s Fundproject benefits. The Government of the Republic of Korea paid this sum to 142
people, but did not pay it to 11 people — the seven who had accepted Fundbenefits in the early stages, and four others who did not sign the written oathbecause they had accepted Fund benefits.
In June 1998, the Asian Women’s Fund sent a letter signed by Fund President
Bunbei Hara to the President of the Republic. The letter stated the belief thatatonement money from the Fund and living expense subsidies from the Republic ofKorea were different in nature, and requested that the Government acknowledge itshould be possible to accept both. However, the position of the Government of the
Republic of Korea did not change.
Realizing there was no change in the project situation, the Fund decided to halt its
projects of atonement in the Republic of Korea at the beginning of 1999, andchange the project objective to group medical care. At the same time the Fund
decided to issue payments to victims who had already begun the application
process. The Fund began negotiations with the Korean side. However, it eventuallybecame clear that the Fund would be unable to obtain the cooperation of the
Korean side, even with a new project objective. As a result, the Fund gave up hopeof pursuing a new project objective, and placed the projects in the Republic of Korea
in a state of suspension, in July 1999.
Those who had accepted Fund project benefits sent their thanks, such as: “I neverthought that during our lifetime I would receive apologies from the Prime Ministerand money. I know they express the feelings of good will of the Japanese people.
Thank you very much.”
Another person needed money for a medical operation, and decided to accept Fundproject benefits. At first she said she did not want to meet a Fund representative.
33

But she eventually did, and when the representative read the Prime Minister’s letter
aloud to her she raised her voice, broke down in tears, hugged the representative,
and began to speak through her tears about her experiences as a comfort woman
and the suffering she had endured after returning to her own country.
Understanding the situation, we felt apology and remorse expressed by Japanese
Government and people were accepted.
The seven who initially accepted Fund benefits, and the others who did so
confidentially, were placed in a psychologically painful situation because of thestrong influence of activist groups that regard the Fund’s atonement projects in the
Republic of Korea as a way for the Japanese Government to avoid responsibility.
The Fund kept up its efforts to ensure that all those who accepted atonement
project benefits would be socially accepted, but unfortunately the current situationshows that these efforts did not bring positive results.
During the time the projects remained in a state of suspension, the 10 January 2002
deadline for applying for project benefits, as initially announced in newspaper
advertisements, drew closer. Believing it should make one final effort, the Fund
decided not to terminate the projects on the 10 January deadline but to leave themin suspension. But after negotiating with some people, the Fund realized that it
could not change the situation a great deal in the short term, so it lifted the projectsuspension on 20 February, and terminated projects in the Republic of Korea on 1
May 2002.
Asian Women’s Fund projects were concluded in the Republic of Korea withoutobtaining the full understanding of activist groups or the Government there. Even so,many more victims than we had first predicted agreed to accept the Prime Minister’s
letter of apology and benefits from the Fund’s atonement projects, and for this weare grateful.

34

8. Projects in Taiwan(a) BackgroundIn the Japanese colony of Taiwan during World War II, many men were conscripted
as either soldiers for the Japanese army or civilian laborers for the military. At thesame time, women were summoned by the military or police to work in places likehospitals, kitchens and factories. In those days, if Taiwanese people disobeyed theJapanese military and police, they would be putting their lives at grave risk.
The women were either sent overseas, to Hainan, the Philippines, China, Indonesia,
Burma and other places, or sent somewhere in Taiwan, to facilities attached tomilitary ports or munitions factories. Many of them were forced to work as comfort
women. In a number of cases, women were victimized while their husbands or
fiancés were away, conscripted into the army. Almost none of these victims could
tell their husbands what had happened after the men returned from the front. They
were burdened by the secret for decades.
Taiwan was liberated from Japanese rule after World War II, and the Government of
the Republic of China, having lost the civil war between Nationalist and Communist
forces, crossed over to Taiwan. Under the 1952 Treaty of Peace between Japanand the Republic of China, the state of war between Japan and China terminated.
The Republic of China waived all reparation claims, claims to material restitution
and the right for claim both at national and individual levels. The Treaty stipulated
that negotiations regarding the right of Taiwan, a former Japanese colony, to claim
compensation were to take place between Taiwan and Japan. But negotiations
were not held for a long time and, in 1972, when diplomatic relations between Japanand China were reestablished, diplomatic relations between Japan and Taiwan
were severed.
In 1992, the Taiwanese Comfort Women Investigation Committee was establishedby Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan (similar to a parliament), administrative departments incharge of foreign and interior, the Academia Sinica and the Taipei Women’s Rescue
Foundation. The Committee then began investigating the issue.
The Committee delegated the Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation to be the sole
entity serving as a focal point for efforts to resolve the comfort women issue in
Taiwan, and commissioned it to: (1) identify former comfort women; (2) handle
information on individuals; and (3) act as an agent in transmitting to themgovernment subsidies for their living expenses. This situation, in which these threetasks were concentrated in a single organization, was very different from35

arrangements established in other countries. The Foundation demanded that Japanpay state compensation and strongly opposed the Asian Women’s Fund, and thisstance had considerable impact on the victims.
According to local media reports in April 2002, 36 Taiwanese women identified as
victims were still alive at that time. Taiwan authorities pay identified victims 15,000
Taiwanese dollars (about 60,000 Japanese yen) per month to subsidize their living
expenses.
In July 1999, nine Taiwanese who were victimized as comfort women filed a lawsuit
at the Tokyo District Court against the Japanese Government, demanding 10 million
yen per person. In October 2002, their demands were dismissed and the claimants
appealed this decision. In February 2004, Tokyo High Court supported the decisionof the first trial and dismissed their demands again. The claimants decided to appeal
to a higher court.
On a few occasions since March 1996, at the Legislative Yuan members (similar tomembers of parliament) have signed documents calling on the Japanese
Government to acknowledge legal responsibility, apologize, and pay compensation.
(b) Project implementation
The Asian Women’s Fund’s intention was to implement projects in Taiwan forvictims identified by the Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation.
When a Dialogue Team from the Fund paid its first visit to Taiwan in January 1996,
it held discussions with the Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation and four victims.
The victims indicated an interest in the Fund’s projects, but the Foundation
maintained its stance that the Japanese government should pay state compensation,and therefore cut off all contact with the Fund. After that, the Fund was unable tomeet victims through the auspices of the Foundation. In August 1996, a victim who
was resident of Taiwan came to Japan and said she hoped to receive atonementmoney from the Fund and the Prime Minister’s letter, but she was pressured in avariety of ways to withdraw her request.
A Taiwanese lawyer named Rai Hau Min, Senior partner of the Formosa
Transnational Law Office, who supported the Fund’s activities from a humanitarianpoint of view, began cooperating with the Fund. Mr. Lai believed that the wishes ofeach individual former comfort woman should be respected. The Fund initiatedprojects in Taiwan by placing advertisements in three major Taiwanese newspapers
in May 1997, and designated the Formosa Transnational Law Office as the location36

where benefit applications were processed. Medical and welfare support project
benefits in Taiwan were fixed at 3 million yen per person.
The Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation, which had opposed the Asian Women’s
Fund ever since its projects began, reacted by distributing approximately 500,000
Taiwan dollars (equivalent to about 2 million Japanese yen) to each victim who
submitted a signed oath that she would refuse benefits from the Asian Women’sFund. The distributed money came from profits earned through auctions held mainlyby the Foundation. Then in February 1998, members of the Legislative Yuanapplied pressure on the Taiwanese authorities and had them pay each victim
500,000 Taiwan dollars (about 2 million Japanese yen) as an advance, supposedly
to be repaid later by the Japanese Government as “compensation.”
Many of the victims live in poverty, and almost all are prone to illness. Manyinquiries were received from people expressing a desire to obtain atonement money
and medical and welfare project benefits from the Asian Women’s Fund. However,victims who were pressured by people advising them not to accept benefits felt
anxious, believing that if they accepted benefits from the Fund their living expensesubsidies would be terminated.
In accordance with the victims’ wishes, and to remove their anxiety about what
could happen if they received Fund benefits, the Fund promoted its projects under
the central proviso that their receipt of benefits would not disadvantage them in any
way. The fact that the lawyer, Rai Hau Min, was present to ensure that the Fund’s
projects were promoted in a careful manner based on law, was extremely important.
Fortunately, in spite of the difficult situation, the Fund was able to provide
atonement project benefits to a considerable number of former comfort women. The
recipients expressed delight upon receiving them. The atonement money andmedical and welfare support projects were of great help to the victims, of course,
but it was the Japanese Prime Minster’s letter of apology, which accompanied thosebenefits, that made an especially strong favorable impression on the victims,
stronger than we had anticipated.
Some of the victims who received the Prime Minister’s letter held it close to theirhearts, saying haltingly with emotion, yet with big smiles on their faces, such things
as “I never thought I would see this day, as long as I lived”; and “So in the end, theJapanese people did not betray us.” One woman expressed her feelings of joy in asong she improvised. Some people used the atonement money to repair theirhomes, something they had dreamed about for many years, while others used it tobuy medicine that had been too expensive for them until then. Some used the37money to improve their living conditions in this way, while others used it for someextravagance they had never been able to enjoy before, such as buying theirchildren something they knew they would like. On the other hand, there were somevictims who, right to the end, continued to express fears about receiving atonement
project benefits, and who never did decide to receive them.
On five different occasions during and after 1997, the Fund placed notices in
Taiwanese newspapers, in order to clearly explain that receiving atonement money
would not cause victims to lose their right to file a lawsuit claiming statecompensation, and to print the full contents of the Japanese Prime Minister’s letterof apology. The aim of these measures was to facilitate a correct understanding on
the part of the victims and those associated with them of the objectives and natureof the atonement projects.
The five-year period for project benefit applications has ended in Taiwan, and Asian
Women’s Fund projects concluded there on 1 May 2002.

38

9. Projects in Indonesia(a) Background
Present-day Indonesia was a Dutch colony when it was occupied by Japan, andachieved independence after the war. As mentioned previously, it appears that insome cases in Indonesia, women were recruited with the collaboration of heads ofresidential districts and neighborhood groups, with village officials complying withrequests from the occupying forces. We can assume that in some cases women
were taken against their will. Some Japanese squads used violent means to bring
women to facilities they had constructed on their own, and used the facilities like a
comfort station.
The comfort women issue began receiving considerable attention in Indonesia in
1992, and it was in that year that women first came forward. The Lembage Butun
Hukum Yogjakarta (LBH), or Legal Aid Institute, began registering them in 1993.
Later, in 1995, the Communication Forum of the Ex-Indonesian Heiho also began
registering former comfort women. A very large number of women were registered.
In addition to former comfort women, among those registered were women who had
been raped or severely mistreated in other ways.
After the Japanese Government had conferred with the Government of that country,
Minister of Social Affairs Ign Soewignjo announced on 14 November 1996 that theIndonesian Government’s position on the comfort women issue was as follows:•
for the people of Indonesia, the comfort women issue represents a dark,
unforgettable side of their history, and it is important that every effort be madeto learn from this lesson to prevent such an occurrence from ever happening
again;•
the Government empathizes with the endless psychological and physicaltrauma and pain of the women who were victims of violence;•
however, the Government, representing a people imbued with the Panchasila
philosophy, does not intend to introduce measures or policies strongly coloredby emotion, and will work hard to protect the honor of women who werevictimized and their families;•
the Government of Indonesia is of the understanding that the question of war
reparations, material restitution and the right to claim from the Japanese
Government was settled by two accords signed in 1958 — the Treaty of Peace
Between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia, and the Reparations Agreement
Between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia;•
in Indonesia, the Asian Women’s Fund should promote projects and assistanceprograms related to the comfort women issue through the Indonesian39Government (primarily through the Department of Social Affairs), not throughany other organization or individual.
Based on this position, the Indonesian Government expressed a desire forassistance in developing welfare facilities for the elderly, rather than for projects
benefiting individual former comfort women. This conclusion was reached primarily
because: (i) it would be extremely difficult to authenticate former comfort women; (ii)
it was important to protect the honor of the former comfort women and their families;and (iii) the question of war reparations from Japan to Indonesia had already been
settled by accords, specifically the Treaty of Peace.
In December 1996, this decision was explained to visiting Fund executives by highranking officials in Indonesia’s Department of Social Affairs and the office of theState Minister for the role of women. Some Fund members expressed a strongly
held opinion that atonement money should be provided to individual former comfort
women, but the Fund eventually agreed, consenting to decisions taken by bothcountries’ governments. As a result, 50 facilities to be built within 10-year period in
the regions where former “wartime comfort women” seem to exist.
(b) Project implementation
The Fund requested that former comfort women should be given priority when
admitting people to the facilities, and that areas where the victimization of comfort
women had occurred should be given priority when selecting locations for thosefacilities. The Fund received the Indonesian Government’s commitment that former
comfort women who had come forward would be given priority when selecting
residents of the facilities to be constructed under the projects. Also, the facilities
would mainly be organized in those areas where many comfort women were
thought to have been living.
On 25 March 1997, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Indonesian
Department of Social Affairs and the Asian Women’s Fund, and the projects began.
The Department was designated as the organization implementing the projects, andit was agreed that the Asian Women’s Fund would offer a total of 380 million yen as
assistance over a 10-year period, taken from financial resources of the Japanese
Government.
From 1997 to 2002, 21 facilities were built and as of January 2004, approximately
150 people had taken up residence in these facilities.

40

By March 2003, Fund representatives had visited all 20 of the completed facilities.
All are quite simple, but it is obvious that the Indonesian staff members working atthese facilities are keen to ensure a clean environment and pleasant atmosphere.
Former comfort women feel considerable reticence about coming forward, and thishas affected the plan to give them priority when admitting residents. The Fund hasstrongly requested that the Indonesian Government improve this situation.
The Suharto administration stepped down in 1999, succeeded by new leaders. The
government ministries and agencies have been reorganized. The present
administration has announced its intention to continue promoting the projects inaccordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, and they are moving ahead at
this time.

41

10. Projects to Learn from History
Projects to learn from history were conceived as a fourth element of the Fund’s
projects of atonement.
First of all, the Asian Women’s Fund prepared a bibliography on published materials
from books and journals containing information on the comfort women. From thiscame publication of “Ianfu” Mondai Kankei Bunken Mokuroku (A Bibliography of
Publications on the “Comfort Women” Issue; September 1997, Gyosei). The work
lists books and papers in journals published up to 1996, with all titles given in
Japanese and English. An appendix contains a chronology of events relating to the
comfort women issue. The work has since been input into a database.
As a second step, the Fund had organised comfort-women-related documents
which were collected during Japanese Government investigations. The documents
were published by Ryukei Shosha in five volumes between March 1997 and July
1998,: Seifu Chousa “Juugun Ianfu” Kankei Shiryou Shuusei (Compilation ofGovernment-collected Documentary Materials Relating to Wartime “Comfort
Women”). The original documents are in the possession of various institutions: theDiplomatic Record Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Defense Agency’s
Military Archival Library; the National Archives of Japan; the National Diet Library;
the National Police Academy Library; and the National Archives and Records
Administration of the United States.
As a third step, in October 1996 the Fund established the Committee on Historical
Materials on Comfort Women. Shinkichi Eto serves as committee advisor, withcommittee members Takanori Aeba, Toyomi Asano, Masao Gabe, Aiko Kurasawa,
Ken’ichi Goto, Soji Takasaki, Yoshikatsu Takahashi, Ikuhiko Hata, Sumio Hatano,Hiroko Hashimoto, and Haruki Wada.
During 1996, 1997 and 1998, committee members traveled for study purposes andcommissioned studies, to conduct research, for example, into the Setsuzo Kinbara
papers (Kinbara was the chief of the Medical Affairs Section, Medical Affairs
Department, Ministry of War) held by the Defense Agency’s Military Archival Library,
and to study documents held by the Okinawa prefectural government and nationalarchives in the United States, the Netherlands, Germany and Taiwan. Committee
members also conducted hearings in Indonesia and Micronesia. The results ofthese research efforts were included in “Ianfu” Mondai Chosa Hokoku 1999 (Reporton the Inquiry into the “Comfort Women” Issue, 1999), published in February 1999.
The report contains six monographs.

42

The above-mentioned publications have been donated to public and university
libraries in Japan and the countries concerned, and have met with the appreciationof many researchers and citizens.
Round table discussions on the comfort women issue have been organized by theFund since 2000, and have benefited from the participation of researchers fromabroad. The 3rd Round Table Discussion, held in September 2001, was joined by
specialists from the Netherlands, the Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia.

4311. Now that the Atonement Projects Have Been Concluded
The Japanese Government acknowledged its moral responsibility regarding thoseforced to become comfort women, and established the Asian Women’s Fund. The
Fund is a juridical foundation established to implement projects expressing theatonement of the Japanese Government and people with heartfelt apology andremorse, and to address problems faced by women today. From the beginning, theFund’s proponents, directors and Advisory Committee members have volunteered
their efforts, working with the Presidents of the Fund (the first of whom was the lateBunbei Hara, with the current President being Tomiichi Murayama) while
implementing projects in cooperation with the Fund Secretariat staff and officials in
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Assistant Chief Cabinet
Secretary.
The projects of atonement began in August 1996 in the Philippines, the Republic ofKorea and Taiwan, and were concluded in September 2002. In the Netherlands,
projects were implemented from 1998 to 2001.
The feelings of apology and atonement of the Japanese Government and people
were offered through these projects to a total of 364 former comfort women — 285
in the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan, and 79 in the Netherlands.
Quite a few of them, including Ms. Rosa Henson, have since passed away.
Fund members and the many Japanese people who donated money to the Fund
shared an earnest desire: to offer the atonement of the Japanese Government andpeople to the victims while they were still alive, and to provide them with material
and psychological support. Although there is no way to bring back their youth, we
believe that the letter and projects of atonement offered some solace to the victims,
who are now advanced in years, in recovering their honor.
And yet, there are other victims who did not accept benefits from the Fund’s projects
of atonement from the Japanese people. Some were unable to do so because they
live in countries whose governments rejected the Fund’s projects. Some others died
before the Fund’s projects began, or after project commencement but before they
could accept them. The Fund will most certainly not forget these victims, either.
Reports submitted to the UN Human Rights Commission and Sub-Commission on
Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities criticized the Fund’s
atonement projects as insufficient, but welcomed the initiative, nonetheless.
Many victim support groups criticized the Japanese Government and the Asian
Women’s Fund. They called on the Japanese Government to acknowledge legal
44

responsibility, pay compensation from the state treasury, and punish those
responsible. Unfortunately, there was a completely negative criticism — that
acknowledging moral responsibility was just a ruse to avoid acknowledging legal
responsibility. There were also demands that the Asian Women’s Fund be abolished.
We are willing, in all humility, to receive criticism, but we cannot accept theargument that the Asian Women’s Fund is a ruse. To those who believe it is, we ask
that, instead of being swayed by stereotypes, they examine without prejudice what
type of organization the Asian Women’s Fund has always been.
One of the essential elements of the Fund’s atonement projects is the provision ofatonement money valued at 2 million yen per person, paid from donations of theJapanese people. It is natural that this element creates the strongest impression.
But the Fund is not simply a private organization. It also presents the Prime
Minister’s letter of apology to victims, and implements medical and welfare support
projects financed by the Japanese Government. In addition, the salaries of theFund’s secretariat staff are paid from the Government budget. This is why all of the
donations from the Japanese people could be presented as atonement money tothe victims. The Fund was established in order to promote atonement projects,
bringing together the sincere feelings and efforts of the Japanese Government andpeople.
On 1 September 2000, Mr. Tomiichi Murayama, a former Prime Minister of Japan,
was appointed President of the Fund, following the first President, Mr. Bunbei Hara,
who passed away in September 1999. To mark Mr. Murayama’s appointment andthe 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Asian Women’s Fund, then-Chief
Cabinet Secretary Hidenao Nakagawa issued a press statement on the day of Mr.
Murayama’s appointment. In the statement, he clarified “the basic understanding of
the Japanese Government, which established the Fund.” Based on thisunderstanding, he said, “The Japanese Government is painfully aware of its moral
responsibility regarding the so-called wartime comfort women issue, and has been
dealing with this issue in all sincerity through the Fund.” He further stated that theGovernment intended to continue cooperating with the Fund.
The Chief Cabinet Secretary also emphasized that the Fund’s projects expressing“the feeling of atonement of the Japanese people for the so-called wartime comfort
women issue are generally making steady progress. The Government has madecontributions from its budget to the Fund, and has been implementing medical andwelfare support projects for former comfort women through the Fund.”45

This was a clear statement that medical and welfare support projects, which
express the atonement of the Japanese people, are implemented and financed by
the Japanese Government.
The question of whether the Japanese Government should bear legal responsibility
is presently being disputed in court. The work of the Asian Women’s Fund has been
to offer national atonement based on acknowledgement of moral responsibility. This
was the intention when the Fund implemented and completed projects of atonementin the Netherlands, and then in the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan.
We are grateful for the understanding we received from the victims who accepted
project benefits. We also express our heartfelt thanks to the many Japanese people
who donated money and cooperated in other ways with the Fund, and to theinternational community, governments and groups that offered their support.

46

Bibliography
The Asian Women’s Fund (ed.), Seifu Chousa “Juugun Ianfu” Kankei Shiryou Shuusei(Compilation of Government-collected Documentary Materials Relating to Wartime “Comfort
Women”), 5 volumes, Ryukei Shosha, 1997
The Asian Women’s Fund (ed.), “Ianfu” Mondai Kankei Bunken Mokuroku, (A Bibliography of
Publications on the “Comfort Women” Issue), Gyosei Corporation, 1997
The Asian Women’s Fund Committee on Historical Materials on Comfort Women (ed.),“Ianfu” Mondai Chosa Hokoku 1999 (Report on the Inquiry into the “Comfort Women” Issue,1999), 1999
Yasuaki Onuma, Mitsuko Shimomura and Haruki Wada (ed.), “Ianfu” Mondai to Ajia Josei
Kikin (The “Comfort Women” Issue and the Asian Women’s Fund), Toshindo, 1998
Pang Son-ju (方善柱), Beikoku Shiryo ni Arawareta Kanjin “Jugun Ianfu” no Kosatsu (A Studyof Korean “Wartime Comfort Women” in American Documents) (in Korean), in Kuksakwan
Ronjo, Vol. 37, October 1992
Yoshiaki Yoshimi (ed.), Jugun Ianfu Shiryo-shu (A Collection of Documents on Wartime
Comfort Women), Otsuki Shoten, 1992
Yoshiaki Yoshimi, Jugun Ianfu (The Wartime Comfort Women), Iwanami Shoten, 1995,
English translation, Comfort Women: Sexual Slavery in Japanese Military during the WorldWar II, Columbia University Press, 2000
Yoshiaki Yoshimi and Hiroshi Hayashi (ed.), Kyodo Kenkyu Nihon-gun Ianfu (The Comfort
Women of the Japanese Military: A Joint Research), Otsuki Shoten, 1995
Ikuhiko Hata, Showa-shi no Nazo wo Ou (Inside Japan’s Showa Years, 1920s to 1980s),
Volume 2, Bungeishunju, 1993
Ikuhiko Hata, Ianfu Densetsu — Sono Suryo-teki Kansatsu (False Images of the Comfort
Women), Gendai Korea, Nos. 1 and 2, 1998
Ikuhiko Hata, Ianfu to Senjo no Sei (The Comfort Women and Sex in War), Shincho-Sha,
1999
Su Zhiliang (蘇智良), Ianfu Kenkyu (Comfort Women Research) (in Chinese), Shanghai
Bookstore Publishers, 1999
Zhu Delan (朱徳蘭) (ed.), Taiwan Ianfu Chosa to Kenkyu Shiryo-shu (The Comfort Womenfrom Taiwan: A Collection of Research Documents), IBSP Sun Yat-San Institute for the Social
Sciences and Philosophy, 1999, and reprinted by Fuji Shuppan, 2001
Chunghee Sarah Soh, "From Imperial Gifts to Sex Slavery: Theorizing Symbolic
Representation of the 'Comfort Women,'" Social Science Japan Journal, Oxford University
Press, Vol. 3, No. 1, April 2000
Kim Puja and Song Yonok (ed.), “Ianfu” Senji Sei-boryoku no Jittai I (The “Comfort Women”:
Sexual Violence During Wartime, Vol. I, Japan, Taiwan and Korea), Ryokufu Shuppan, 2000
Rumiko Nishino and Hiroshi Hayashi (ed.), Ianfu Senji Sei-boryoku no Jittai II (The Comfort
Women: Sexual Violence During Wartime, Vol. II, China, Southeast Asia and the Pacific),
2000

47

AppendicesDocuments Relating to the Comfort Women Issue
1. Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono on the Result of the Studyon the Issue of "Comfort Women" (4 August, 1993) --------------------------------- 49
2. On the Issue of Wartime "Comfort Women" (4 August, 1993) --------------------- 50
3. Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama on the "Peace, Friendship, andExchange Initiative" (31 August, 1994) --------------------------------------------------- 52
4. First Report on the So-called Wartime Comfort Women Issue(7 December, 1994) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54
5. Resolution Renewing Japan's Determination for Peace, Taking to Heart the
Lessons of History (9 June, 1995) --------------------------------------------------------- 56
6. Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (14 June, 1995) ------------------------- 57
7. An Appeal for Donations for the Asian Women's Fund (18 July, 1995) ---------- 58
8. Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama on the Occasion of theEstablishment of the “Asian Women’s Fund” (July, 1995) --------------------------- 60
9. Understanding of the Government of Japan, Agreed Upon during a Cabinet
Meeting (11 August, 1995) ------------------------------------------------------------------- 61
10. Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama “On the Occasion of the 50th
Anniversary of the War’s End” (15 August, 1995) ------------------------------------ 61
11. Letter from the Prime Minister to the Former Comfort Women ------------------- 63
12. Letter from the AWF President ----------------------------------------------------------- 64
13. The Legal Position of the Japanese Government Regarding Implications ofAcceptance of Support from Asian Women's Fund Projects (October 1996)----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 65
14. Summary of Letter from Then-Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to Prime
Minister Willem Kok (15 July 1998) ------------------------------------------------------ 66
15. Report on the Activities of the Asian Women's Fund, Five Years After Its
Establishment (1 September, 2000) ----------------------------------------------------- 67
16. Chief Cabinet Secretary's Press Statement (1 September, 2000) --------------- 72
17. Statement of AWF Vice-President Ishihara on Close of Project in Korea(Excerpt) (20 February, 2002) ----------------------------------------------------------- 72
18．An Expression of Gratitude to All Donors (October 2002)------------------------- 73
History ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 76
List of Officers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 78
List of Former Officers -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7948

1. Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono on the Resultof the Study on the Issue of "Comfort Women"
4 August, 1993
The Government of Japan has been conducting a study on the issue of wartime "comfort
women" since December 1991. I wish to announce the findings as a result of that study.
As a result of the study which indicates that comfort stations were operated in extensive
areas for long periods, it is apparent that there existed a great number of comfort women.
Comfort stations were operated in response to the request of the military authorities of theday. The then Japanese military was, directly or indirectly, involved in the establishment andmanagement of the comfort stations and the transfer of comfort women. The recruitment of
the comfort women was conducted mainly by private recruiters who acted in response to therequest of the military. The Government study has revealed that in many cases they wererecruited against their own will, through coaxing coercion, etc., and that, at times,
administrative/military personnel directly took part in the recruitments. They lived in misery at
comfort stations under a coercive atmosphere.
As to the origin of those comfort women who were transferred to the war areas, excluding
those from Japan, those from the Korean Peninsula accounted for a large part. The Korean
Peninsula was under Japanese rule in those days, and their recruitment, transfer, control, etc.,
were conducted generally against their will, through coaxing, coercion, etc.
Undeniably, this was an act, with the involvement of the military authorities of the day, thatseverely injured the honor and dignity of many women. The Government of Japan would liketo take this opportunity once again to extend its sincere apologies and remorse to all those,irrespective of place of origin, who suffered immeasurable pain and incurable physical andpsychological wounds as comfort women.
It is incumbent upon us, the Government of Japan, to continue to consider seriously, while
listening to the views of learned circles, how best we can express this sentiment.
We shall face squarely the historical facts as described above instead of evading them, andtake them to heart as lessons of history. We hereby reiterated our firm determination never torepeat the same mistake by forever engraving such issues in our memories through the study
and teaching of history.
As actions have been brought to court in Japan and interests have been shown in this issue
outside Japan, the Government of Japan shall continue to pay full attention to this matter,
including private researched related thereto.

49

2. On the Issue of Wartime "Comfort Women"
4 August, 1993
Cabinet Councilors' Office on External Affairs
1. Study Background
The issue of wartime "comfort women" has been attracting attention from both within andoutside Japan, as actions have been brought to court in Japan by those concerned and theissue has been debated in the Diet.
During Prime Minister Miyazawa's visit to the Republic of Korea in January 1992, the issue
was brought up in the meeting between the Prime Minister and then President, Mr. Roh Tae
Woo, in which the Korean side requested strongly that relevant facts be brought to light.
Other countries and areas concerned also have shown strong interest in this issue.
Under these circumstances, the Government of Japan, since December 1991, has been
conducting a study by means of individual hearings of former military personnel and others
concerned in parallel with a search for relevant documents. In addition, for five days from July
26 to 30, the Government of Japan conducted detailed regarding of former comfort women,with the cooperation of the Association of Pacific War Victims and Bereaved Families, inSeoul, the Republic of Korea, regarding the circumstances at the time. Furthermore, in thecourse of the study, government officials were sent to the United Sates to search for official
U.S. documents and a field study was conducted in Okinawa as well. The following gives thedetails of the study, and a list of the documents discovered by the study is attached.
Institutions covered by the study: the National Police Agency; the Defense Agency; theMinistry of Justice; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of
Health and Welfare; the Ministry of Labor; the National Archives; the National Diet Library;
and the U.S. National Archives.
People covered by individual hearings: former comfort women; former military personnel;
former officials of the Government-General of Korea; former operators of comfort stations;residents in the areas where comfort stations were located; and history researchers, etc.
Domestic and foreign documents and publications used for reference: the study reportcompiled by the Government of the Republic of Korea; collections of testimonies by former
comfort women, compiled by those concerned including the Association of Pacific War
Victims and Bereaved Families and the Korean Council for the women Drafted for Sexual
Slavery by Japan; and also practically all of the numerous Japanese publications on thesubject matter were perused.
On 6 July 1992, the Government of Japan announced the results of its study on this issue
conducted up to that time. In view of the further progress of the study since then, theGovernment has decided to announce the findings reached as below.

50

2. Facts on the Issue of Wartime "Comfort Women"
The following has been brought to light as a result of the aforementioned search for
documents and individual hearings as well as comprehensive analysis and review of thevarious documents used as reference.
(1) Background to the establishment of comfort stations
The comfort stations were established in various locations in response to the request of themilitary authorities at the time. Internal government documents from those days cite asreasons for establishing comfort stations the need to prevent anti-Japanese sentiments fromfermenting as a result of rapes and other unlawful acts by Japanese military personnel
against local residents in the areas occupied by the then Japanese military, the need toprevent loss of troop strength by venereal and other diseases, and the need to prevent
espionage.
(2) Timing of the establishment of comfort stations
As some documents indicate that a comfort station was established in Shanghai at the time ofthe so-called Shanghai Incident in 1932 for the troops stationed there, it is assumed that
comfort stations were in existence since around that time to the end of World War II. The
facilities expanded in scale and in geographical scope later on as the war spread.
(3) Areas with comfort stations
The countries or areas where it has been possible as a result of the study to confirm that
comfort stations existed are: Japan; China; the Philippines; Indonesia; the then Malaya;
Thailand; the then Burma; the then New Guinea; Hong Kong; Macao; and the then French
Indochina.
(4) Number of comfort women
It is virtually impossible to determine the total number of comfort women, as no document has
been found which either indicates their total number or gives sufficient ground to establish an
estimate. However, in view of the fact, as described above, that comfort stations wereoperated in extensive areas for long periods, it is apparent that there existed a great numberof comfort women.
(5) Comfort women’s place of origin
The countries or areas from which it has been possible as a result of the study to confirm that
comfort women came are: Japan; the Korean Peninsula; China; Taiwan; the Philippines;
Indonesia; and the Netherlands. Apart from Japanese, many of the comfort womentransferred to the war areas were from the Korean Peninsula.
(6) Operation and management of comfort stations
Many comfort stations were run by private operators, although in some areas there werecases in which the then Japanese military directly operated comfort stations. Even in thosecases where the facilities were run by private operators, the then Japanese military was
involved directly in the establishment and management of the comfort stations by suchmeans as granting permissions to open the facilities, equipping the facilities, drawing up theregulations for the comfort stations that set the hours of operation and tariff and stipulated
such matters as precautions for the use of the facilities.
51

With regard to the supervision of the comfort women, the then Japanese military imposedsuch measures as mandatory use of contraceptives as a part of the comfort station
regulations and regular check-ups of comfort women for venereal and other diseases by
military doctors, for the purpose of hygienic control of the comfort women and the comfort
stations. Some stations controlled the comfort women by restricting their leave time as well as
the destinations they could go to during the leave time under the comfort station regulations.
It is evident, at any rate, that, in the war areas, these women were forced to move with themilitary under constant military control and that they were deprived of their freedom and had
to endure misery.
(7) Recruitment of comfort women
In many cases private recruiters, asked by the comfort station operators who represented therequest of the military authorities, conducted the recruitment of comfort women. Pressed by
the growing need for more comfort women stemming from the spread of the war, these
recruiters resorted in any cases to coaxing and intimidating these women to be recruited
against their own will, and there were even cases where administrative/ military personnel
directly took part in the recruitments.
(8) Transportation of comfort women, etc
When the recruiters had to transport comfort and other women by ship or other means oftransportation, the then Japanese military approved requests for their travel by such means
as regarding such women as having a special status similar to its civilian personnel serving in
the military, and the Japanese Government issued certificates of identification. In quite a few
cases the women were transported to the war areas by military ships and vehicles, and insome cases they were left behind in the confusion of the rout that ensued Japanese defeat.

3. Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama on the "Peace,
Friendship, and Exchange Initiative"
31 August, 1994
Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. With the anniversary
approaching, I visited the Republic of Korea in July this year, and I have just completed a tourof Southeast Asian countries. Taking this opportunity, I would like to say a few words of
explanation on the basic thinking behind Japanese external policy to make the historic
anniversary truly significant.
1. Japan's actions in a certain period of the past not only claimed numerous victims here in
Japan but also left the peoples of neighboring Asia and elsewhere with scars that are painfuleven today. I am thus taking this opportunity to state my belief, based on my profoundremorse for these acts of aggression, colonial rule, and the like caused such unbearable
suffering and sorrow for so many people, that Japan's future path should be one of making
every effort to build world peace in line with my no-war commitment.
It is imperative for us Japanese to look squarely to our history with the peoples of neighboring
Asia and elsewhere. Only with solid basis of mutual understanding and confidence that can
52be built through overcoming the pain on both sides, can we and the peoples of neighboring
countries together clear up the future of Asia-Pacific.
With next year's historic 50th anniversary of the war's end, I believe it is necessary that suchviews are solidified and that we redouble our efforts for peace.
2. In keeping with this view, I would like to announce "Peace, Friendship, and Exchange
Initiative" to start in the 50th anniversary, 1995. I see this as a two-part Initiative.
One part consists of support for historical research, including the collection and cataloging of
historical documents and support for researchers, to enable everyone to face squarely to thefacts of history.
The other part consists of exchange programs to promote dialogue and mutual understandingin all walks of life through intellectual exchange, youth exchange and so on.
I would also like to include such other programs as deemed appropriate in light of theInitiative's objectives.
In addition, I would like to consider the establishment of an Asian Historical Document Center,
which has been advocated, within this Initiative.
While this Initiative will focus primarily upon the neighboring Asian countries and areas where
Japan's past actions have left deep scars even today, I also want to include other regions as
appropriate in light of the Initiative's objectives.
This Initiative calls for the disbursement of about ¥100 billion over the next ten years, with thedetails now being worked out within the government for inclusion in the next year's budget.
3. On the issue of wartime "comfort women", which seriously stained the honor and dignity ofmany women, I would like to take this opportunity once again to express my profound andsincere remorse and apologies.
With regard to this issue as well, I believe that one way of demonstrating such feelings ofapologies and remorse is to work to further promote mutual understanding with the countries
and areas concerned as well as to face squarely to the past and ensure that it is rightly
conveyed to future generations. This initiative, in this sense, has been drawn up consistent
with such belief.
Along with the Initiative by the government, I would like to find out, together with Japanesepeople, an appropriate way which enables a wide participation of people so that we can sharesuch feelings.
4. The government is keenly aware of the importance of international cooperation in suchfields as the advancement of women and the enhancement of women's welfare.

53

I have been strongly concerned with the issues of women's human rights and welfare.
Knowing that the Fourth World Conference on Women is scheduled to be held in Beijing next
year to formulate new guidelines for the advancement of women toward the 21st century, thegovernment intends to place even greater emphasis on economic cooperation in such fields
as the advancement of women and the enhancement of women's welfare, including, forexample, vocational training centers for women, particularly in relation to the neighboring
Asian countries and areas.
5. With this "Peace, Friendship, and Exchange Initiative" as the basic framework, thegovernment also intends to make good-faith efforts in the following areas.
a. One is the issue on permanent repatriation of ethnic Koreans residing in Sakhalin. Thisissue cries out for our attention particularly from a humanitarian perspective, and thegovernment intends to decide upon the support policies as soon as possible, in fullconsultation with the governments of Republic of Korea and Russian Federation, and to
implement them as they are firmed up.
b. The other is the issue of "established financial obligations" to the people concerned in
Taiwan, including the non-payment of wages and the status of military postal savings
accounts, which have long defied solution. Considering the facts including that the creditors
are increasingly aging year by year, the government intends to work to meet theseestablished obligations as soon as possible.
6. While almost half a century has passed since the end of the war, a vast majority of people
today have not experienced the war. In order to make sure that the horrors of war be neveragain repeated, we should not forget about the war. It is all the more essential in this time ofpeace and abundance that we reflect on the errors in our history, convey to future generations
the horrors of war and the many lives that were lost, and work continuously for lasting peace.
I believe that this is the responsibility which the political leadership and the Administration ofJapan should bear together with each and every Japanese.

4. First Report on the So-called Wartime Comfort Women Issue
7 December, 1994
Issued by the Sub-committee to Address the Wartime Comfort Women Issue(Ruling Parties' Project to Deal with Issues Fifty Years After the War)
1. Addressing the so-called wartime comfort women issue
As a result of a careful study of the so-called wartime comfort women issue, the Governmentof Japan now recognizes that there existed in the past a great number of comfort women.
The study shows that comfort stations were established at the demands of the Japanesemilitary authorities of that time, with the then-military being directly or indirectly involved in theestablishing and managing of those stations and the transfer of comfort women. The
recruitment of comfort women was conducted mainly by private recruiters who had been54

requested to do so by the military. In many of those cases, the women were recruited against
their will, through coaxing, coercion and the like. In addition, it is clear that government
officials and others in authority also directly took part in the recruitments. The comfort women
lived under coercive conditions in those stations, and their lives were extremely miserable.
These actions were undeniably a grave affront to the honor and dignity of many women.
It is therefore necessary that the Government of Japan and ruling political parties once again
express, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, our heartfelt apology
and remorse to those women who experienced so much anguish and were forced to suffer
incurable physical and mental damage.
We shall face squarely this past history of actions committed by Japan and the Japanesepeople, and act responsibly as a country that respects moral values, thereby ensuring thatsuch actions are not committed again in the future.
2. Why we are calling for the participation of a broad spectrum of the Japanese population
With regard to the question of restitution or the right to demand material compensation as aresult of issues arising from the past war, including the so-called wartime comfort womenissue, the Japanese Government has always acted in good faith and in view of internationallaw and the practice of diplomacy in accordance with the stipulations of the San Francisco
Peace Treaty, bilateral peace treaties and other relevant accords.
But in light of past events and the current situation, Japan must, from a moral standpoint, takethe opportunity offered by the 50th anniversary of the end of the war to fulfill its responsibility
for the wartime comfort women issue. We call on all Japanese to understand and share thiscommitment, and on Japanese people from a wide spectrum of the population to participate
in activities that fulfill this responsibility.
3. Participation of the Japanese people(a) Objectives and projects
Showing the atonement of the Japanese people, through expressions of apology andremorse to the former so-called wartime comfort women, is important not only to restore theirhonor, which was affronted, but also to indicate in Japan and abroad our country's strong
respect for women.
It must also be noted that problems offending the honor and dignity of women still exist in
many parts of the world. It is important that we Japanese remain concerned about these
problems and promote efforts to eliminate them worldwide.
In light of the above, consideration should be given to adopting the following measures:(i) A Fund encompassing the participation of the Japanese people should be established, as
a way to achieve the above objectives.
(ii) The AWF should implement measures for women who were forced to suffer unbearable
hardships as wartime comfort women.
55

(iii) The AWF should also implement a variety of projects supporting activities that aim toresolve problems offending the honor and dignity of women.
(b) Organization and administration of the AWF The organization and administration of the
AWF should reflect the opinions of the relevant people.
(c) Project implementation
When implementing projects, the AWF should request the understanding and cooperation of
the relevant countries and people, and should base its actions on the need to protect privacy.
(d) Other considerations
The AWF should establish its modus operandi as soon as possible by, for example, calling forcooperation from existing organizations that have a strong public nature.
4. Role of the Japanese Government
The Government should cooperate with the AWF to the greatest extent possible, including
providing financial support, as a way to indicate its position with regard to the issue, a position
made clear by the Prime Minister in his recent statement.
In addition, the Government should carefully study the question of how the country should
express its deep feelings of apology and remorse.

5. Resolution Renewing Japan's Determination for Peace, Taking toHeart the Lessons of History
9 June, 1995
Plenary Session of the House of Representatives, National Diet of JapanOn the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, this House expresses its
grief for the war dead and the victims of wars and conflicts throughout the world.
Solemnly reflecting upon the many instances of colonial rule and acts of aggression that
occurred in modern world history, and recognizing that Japan carried out such acts in thepast and inflicted suffering on the people of other countries, especially in Asia, the Membersof this House hereby express deep remorse.
We must learn in all humility the lessons of history, and promote peace in the international
community, overcoming the various differences in ideology that exist regarding theunderstanding of history related to the war in the past.

56

6. Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary
14 June, 1995
Kozo Igarashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary
To follow up the statement made in August, 1994, by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, andin accordance with discussions of the Ruling Parties' Project Team for 50th Anniversary
Issues, and after consideration within the Government, based on our remorse for the past on
the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the War, the projects of the "Asian Peaceand Friendship Foundation for Women" will be undertaken as follows.
1. The following activities will be conducted for the former wartime comfort women, throughthe cooperation of the Japanese People and the Government:(a) The Foundation will raise funds in the private sector as a means to enact the Japanesepeople's atonement for former wartime comfort women.
(b) The Foundation will support those conducting medical and welfare projects and othersimilar projects which are of service to former wartime comfort women, through the use ofgovernment funding and other funds.
(c) When these projects are implemented, the Government will express the nation's feelingsof sincere remorse and apology to the former wartime comfort women.
(d) In addition, the Government will collate historical documents on past wartime comfort
women, to serve as a lesson of history.
2. As its project addressing issues related to the honor and dignity of women, including the
projects mentioned in 1 (b) above, the Foundation will, through the use of government
funding and other funds, support those who undertake projects that address contemporary
problems, such as violence against women.
3. The names of those who have given their support to date, acting as "campaigners" callingon a broad range of Japanese people to cooperate with the projects of the "Asian Peace andFriendship Foundation for Women," are listed separately.

57

7. An Appeal for Donations for the Asian Women's Fund
18 July, 1995
Fifty years have elapsed since the war came to an end.
The war caused enormous horror and ravaged the people of Japan and many other nations,especially those in Asia. Particularly brutal was the act of forcing women, including teenagers,
to serve the Japanese armed forces as "comfort women," a practice that violated thefundamental dignity of women. No manner of apology can ever completely heal the deep
wound inflicted on these women both emotionally and physically. Yet we should, by whatevermeans, do our best to appreciate their pain and make the greatest possible effort to salve
their suffering in any way we can. We believe the obligation to do so today hangs heavy overJapan, the country that inflicted the suffering.
The Government of Japan has expressed its deep remorse, albeit belatedly, apologizing to
the victims through the Chief Cabinet Secretary's statement of August 4, 1993, and the Prime
Minister's statement of August 31, 1994. Further, on June 14 of this year, the Cabinet
announced a concrete action plan, which is to be based upon four pillars:
1.

Support will be given to the establishment of a fund that invites the people of Japan
to atone for the institution of "comfort women."

2.

The Government will contribute funds to the welfare and medical care of these
women.

3.

The Government will express remorse and apology.

4.

Historical documents and materials will be collated that will help make this a lesson
to be drawn on.

Moneys from the AWF - donated by the Japanese as an offer of atonement to the "comfort
women" - will be delivered to the women, as well as be used to provide support for measures
to cope with current-day issues such as the eradication of violence against women. We havegathered together to propose this fund in the conviction that atonement in the form ofcompensation by the people of Japan to the victims of the institution of "comfort women" isurgently needed now, along with an apology by the Government.
Some of us proponents differ in our views. Some, for example, believe Government
compensation is absolutely necessary, while others believe such compensation will bedifficult to realize in a prompt manner because of legal and practical impediments. We are,however, united in one regard - our burning desire to take action immediately, because thetime left to compensate these women of advanced age is running short.
We will continue to urge the Government to spare no effort in bringing to light all the facts ofthe case, and to express a heartfelt apology, in order that the honor and dignity of the victimsof the institution of "comfort women" be restored. At the same time, we will be vigilant in oureffort to make sure the Government apportions ample budgetary outlays and uses these58

funds to fully provide, in good faith, for the welfare and medical care of the victims. We willcontinually demand that our Government pursue an active policy of working to prevent still
remaining infringements upon the dignity of all women, both in Japan and throughout theworld.
Of paramount importance, however, is the need for as many Japanese citizens as possible toappreciate the suffering of the victims and to express a genuine desire for atonement. The
indignities and pain suffered by these women, both during the war and in the fifty years since,
can never be fully compensated for. But we are convinced that, if each and every citizen of
Japan would do his or her best to understand the plight of the victims, and then act in a
concrete manner to make amends, and if such a commitment - coming, as it must, from theheart - could reach the women involved, then our actions would help mitigate, to some extent,
the trauma they have lived through and continue to live with.
It is the Japanese nation of the past that created the "comfort women." But Japan is not the
government alone. Like other, Japan is a nation in which each citizen must shoulder thelegacy of the past, live in the present, and create the future. To make amends for the past,then, fifty years after the fact, is our responsibility - we, the present generation, owe it to thevictims, to the international community, and to future generations.
We sincerely urge you to take part in and contribute to this national fund, in order that as
many Japanese citizens as possible translate into action the desire to make amends.
Proponents of the "Asian Women's Fund"
Ryoko AKAMATSU
Jinnosuke ASHIDA
Shinkichi ETO
Toshiko OKITA
Yoshiko OTAKA
Yasuaki ONUMA
Yukio OKAMOTOTaki KATO
Mitsuko SHIMOMURA
Kenji SUZUKI
Ryozo SUNOBE
Yoshikatsu TAKAHASHI
Shunsuke TSURUMI
Aiko NODA
Kuniko NONAKA
Nobutoshi HAGIWARA
Mutsuko MIKI
Isamu MIYAZAKI
Tadashi YAMAMOTOHaruki WADA

59

8. Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama on the Occasion of
the Establishment of the “Asian Women’s Fund”
July, 1995
I would like to share with you my sentiments on the occasion of the establishment of the“Asian Women’s Fund.”This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the War, an event that caused many
people, both in Japan and abroad, great suffering and sorrow. During these past 50 years wehave worked hard to cultivate, step by step, friendly relations with our neighboring Asian
countries and others. However, the scars of war still run deep in these countries to this day.
The problem of the so-called wartime comfort women is one such scar, which, with the
involvement of the Japanese military forces of the time, seriously stained the honor anddignity of many women. This is entirely inexcusable. I offer my profound apology to all those
who, as wartime comfort women, suffered emotional and physical wounds that can never beclosed.
Established on this occasion and involving the cooperation of the Government and citizens ofJapan, the “Asian Women’s Fund” is an expression of atonement on the part of the Japanesepeople toward these women and supports medical, welfare, and other projects. As articulated
in the proponents’ Appeal, the Government will do its utmost to ensure that the goals of the
AWF are achieved.
Furthermore, to ensure that this situation is never again repeated, the Government of Japan
will collate historical documents concerning the former wartime comfort women, to serve as alesson of history.
Turning from yesterday to today, we still see many women suffering violence and inhumantreatment in many parts of the world. The “Asian Women’s Fund,” as I understand it, will takesteps to address these problems facing women today. The Government of Japan intends toplay an active role in this regard. I am convinced that a sincere effort on the part of Japan toimplement these measures will further strengthen the true relationships of trust we share with
our neighbors in Asia and other nations around the world.
The Government of Japan intends to cooperate, to the greatest extent possible, with the“Asian Women’s Fund,” in order that its aims are achieved. I call on each and every
Japanese citizen, asking for your understanding and cooperation.
Tomiichi Murayama
Prime Minister of Japan

60

9. Understanding of the Government of Japan, Agreed Upon during a
Cabinet Meeting
11 August, 1995
The aims of Asian Women's Fund activities are to contribute to the promotion of the social
values of peace and freedom and to promote friendship between the countries of neighboring
Asia and elsewhere and Japan, through respect for and protection of the honor and dignity ofwomen in Japan and abroad. In light of these aims, the Government of Japan is resolved tocooperate with the activities of the Asian Women's Fund.

10. Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama “On the Occasionof the 50th Anniversary of the War’s End”
15 August, 1995
The world has seen fifty years elapse since the war came to an end. Now, when I remember
the many people both at home and abroad who fell victim to war, my heart is overwhelmed bya flood of emotions.
The peace and prosperity of today were built as Japan overcame great difficulty to arise froma devastated land after defeat in the war. That achievement is something of which we areproud, and let me herein express my heartfelt admiration for the wisdom and untiring effort ofeach and every one of our citizens. Let me also express once again my profound gratitude forthe indispensable support and assistance extended to Japan by the countries of the world,
beginning with the United States of America. I am also delighted that we have been able tobuild the friendly relations which we enjoy today with the neighboring countries of the AsiaPacific region, the United States and the countries of Europe.
Now that Japan has come to enjoy peace and abundance, we tend to overlook thepricelessness and blessings of peace. Our task is to convey to younger generations thehorrors of war, so that we never repeat the errors in our history. I believe that, as we joinhands, especially with the peoples of neighboring countries, to ensure true peace in the AsiaPacific region -indeed, in the entire world- it is necessary, more than anything else, that we
foster relations with all countries based on deep understanding and trust. Guided by thisconviction, the Government has launched the Peace, Friendship and Exchange Initiative,
which consists of two parts promoting: support for historical research into relations in themodern era between Japan and the neighboring countries of Asia and elsewhere; and rapid
expansion of exchanges with those countries. Furthermore, I will continue in all sincerity to do
my utmost in efforts being made on the issues arisen from the war, in order to further
strengthen the relations of trust between Japan and those countries.
Now, upon this historic occasion of the 50th anniversary of the war's end, we should bear inmind that we must look into the past to learn from the lessons of history, and ensure that we
do not stray from the path to the peace and prosperity of human society in the future.
61

During a certain period in the not too distant past, Japan, following a mistaken national policy,
advanced along the road to war, only to ensnare the Japanese people in a fateful crisis, and,through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to thepeople of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations. In the hope that no such
mistake be made in the future, I regard, in a spirit of humility, these irrefutable facts of history,
and express here once again my feelings of deep remorse and state my heartfelt apology.
Allow me also to express my feelings of profound mourning for all victims, both at home andabroad, of that history.
Building from our deep remorse on this occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war,
Japan must eliminate self-righteous nationalism, promote international coordination as a
responsible member of the international community and, thereby, advance the principles ofpeace and democracy. At the same time, as the only country to have experienced thedevastation of atomic bombing, Japan, with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear
weapons, must actively strive to further global disarmament in areas such as thestrengthening of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. It is my conviction that in this way alone
can Japan atone for its past and lay to rest the spirits of those who perished.
It is said that one can rely on good faith. And so, at this time of remembrance, I declare to thepeople of Japan and abroad my intention to make good faith the foundation of our
Government policy, and this is my vow.
Tomiichi Murayama
Prime Minister of Japan

62

11. Letter from the Prime Minister to the Former Comfort Women
The Year of 1996
Dear Madam,On the occasion that the Asian Women's Fund, in cooperation with the Government and thepeople of Japan, offers atonement from the Japanese people to the former wartime comfort
women, I wish to express my feelings as well.
The issue of comfort women, with an involvement of the Japanese military authorities at thattime, was a grave affront to the honor and dignity of large numbers of women.
As Prime Minister of Japan, I thus extend anew my most sincere apologies and remorse to all
the women who underwent immeasurable and painful experiences and suffered incurable
physical and psychological wounds as comfort women.
We must not evade the weight of the past, nor should we evade our responsibilities for the
future.
I believe that our country, painfully aware of its moral responsibilities, with feelings of apology
and remorse, should face up squarely to its past history and accurately convey it to future
generations.
Furthermore, Japan also should take an active part in dealing with violence and other forms
of injustice to the honor and dignity of women.
Finally, I pray from the bottom of my heart that each of you will find peace for the rest of yourlives.
Respectfully yours,
Ryutaro Hashimoto
Prime Minister of Japan(Subsequent Prime Ministers who signed the letter are: Keizo Obuchi, Yoshiro Mori and
Junichiro Koizumi）

63

12. Letter from the AWF President
The Year of 1996
Dear Madam,
The Asian Women's Fund, established in cooperation with the Government and people ofJapan, herein conveys to you the sense of atonement held by the Japanese people for theunbearable suffering you were forced to endure as a wartime "comfort woman."
At a certain time of war in the past, many comfort stations were established with an
involvement of the former Japanese armed forces, and many women were recruited andforced to become "comfort women" for officers and soldiers. There were cases where young
women, including 16-17 year-olds, were recruited without an indication of the fate before
them, and, in occupied areas, there were cases where direct coercive means were also used.
I understand that you were one of such victims.
This cruelty truly denigrated the fundamental dignity of women. As clearly acknowledged in
the Prime Minister's letter, the Government and people of Japan today bear moral
responsibility for the acts inflicted upon you. We also extend our heartfelt apologies to you.
I know that you not only experienced intolerable suffering during the war, but through morethan 50 years since, have lived with physical damage and cruel memories.
In such recognition, the Asian Women's Fund, in cooperation with the Government of Japan,
appealed to the Japanese people in a year-long campaign for contributions. Many thoughtful
people responded with contributions to the AWF. Many letters accompanying contributions
expressed sincere apologies and sense of atonement shared in the hearts of the Japanesepeople.
We know that the pain you have endured could never be atoned for with words of apology orwith a monetary payment. However, we sincerely hope that you will accept our atonement as
a token of our people's resolve to never repeat what happened in the past.
In cooperation with the Government of Japan, the Asian Women's Fund will launch medical
and welfare assistance programs as one of the AWF's activities for atonement, the intentionof which is to fulfill our moral responsibilities. The AWF will furthermore strive to make known
the true facts relating to the "comfort women" issue, and proceed with study and research
programs which examine relevant documents and materials to serve as lessons of history.
Since you stepped forward to pronounce your case, our eyes have been opened anew to theevents of the past. The Japanese people will never forget your suffering and your courage.
With all our hearts, we sincerely hope that you are able to find somewhat more peace in yourlife.
Sincerely,
Bunbei Hara
President, Asian Women's Fund
(Subsequent President who signed the letter is Tomiichi Murayama）
64

13. The Legal Position of the Japanese Government Regarding
Implications of Acceptance of Support from Asian Women's Fund
Projects
October, 1996
The Government of Japan has communicated to us its legal position with regard to theimplications of acceptance of support from Asian Women's Fund projects. This position is
explained below.
In light of this position, we sincerely request your understanding of and cooperation with the
Asian Women's Fund.
1. The following is the Japanese Government's position with regard to the question whether,when a former comfort woman accepts to receive atonement money from the Asian Women's
Fund in accordance with the AWF's procedures, she should accept it under the condition that
she will drop a lawsuit or refrain from instituting a new lawsuit
Position of the Japanese Government
The Government of Japan does not request that a former wartime comfort woman agree toany conditions when the Asian Women's Fund provides her with atonement money.
2. The following is the Japanese Government's position with regard to lawsuits demanding
individual compensation.
Position of the Japanese Government(a) Atonement money provided by the Asian Women's Fund is an expression of the feeling ofatonement of the vast majority of Japanese people. The money is obtained through the
AWF's campaigns to raise donations, and through its various activities to encourage theawareness and understanding of the Japanese people regarding the wartime comfort womenissue, in order to fulfill moral responsibility.
(b) Therefore, it is the opinion of the Japanese Government that atonement money from the
Asian Women's Fund is a matter which is set apart from legal issues, and that theacceptance of atonement money does not prevent that individual from instigating a lawsuit or
demanding a decision with regard to that issue in a Japanese court of law.
(c) The legal position of the Japanese Government with regard to this issue is the same as
before, and it has not changed.
(d) It may also be added here that, at a ceremony in the Philippines on 14 August 1996, Ms.
Maria Rosa L. Henson was presented with atonement money, the letter from the Prime
Minister of Japan, and a letter from Mr. Hara, the AWF President, at which time Ms. Henson
said that she was pleased to accept the Prime Minister's letter and was satisfied with its
contents. She also referred to the ongoing lawsuit she had personally initiated before the65Tokyo District Court, and stated that she had already forgiven Japan, and that if she had notforgiven Japan, that God would not forgive her. She added that, although her lawsuit wascontinuing, any further action she would take would be through a lawyer.
The Japanese Government is of the understanding that Ms. Henson, after fully understanding
the significance of the measures being taken by the Japanese Government and the Asian
Women's Fund, accepted the Prime Minister's letter and atonement money from the people ofJapan, and will nevertheless continue with the lawsuit.

14. The contents of the letter of the then Japanese Prime Minister
Ryutaro Hashimoto sent to the Netherlands Prime Minister Willem Kok
15 July, 1998
The Government of Japan, painfully aware of its moral responsibility concerning the issue ofso called "wartime comfort women," has been sincerely addressing this issue in close
cooperation with the Asian Women's Fund which implements the projects to express thenational atonement on this issue.
Recognizing that the issue of comfort women, with an involvement of the Japanese military
authorities at that time, was a grave affront to the honor and dignity of large numbers of
women, I would like to convey to Your Excellency my most sincere apologies and remorse to
all the women who underwent immeasurable and painful experiences and suffered incurable
physical and psychological wounds as comfort women.
After a series of talks among the parties concerned to crystallize such feelings of theJapanese people, an agreement has been reached that the Asian Women's Fund will provide
financial assistance for the newly established Project Implementation Committee in the
Netherlands which will implement the Project to provide goods and/or services in the medical
and welfare fields for those who experienced the difficulties during the war concerning the
comfort women issue.
I will be grateful if the Government of the Netherlands provides warm understanding andsupport to this Project of the Asian Women's Fund which embodies the sincere feelings of theJapanese people.
By the Statement of Prime Minister in 1995, the Government of Japan renewed the feelings ofdeep remorse and the heartfelt apology for tremendous damage and suffering caused by
Japan to the people of many countries including the Netherlands during a certain period in thepast. My cabinet has not modified this position at all, and I myself laid a wreath to the IndischMonument with these feelings on the occasion of my visit to the Netherlands in June last year.
In view of further promoting mutual understanding between our two countries, theGovernment of Japan is extending, support for historical research, and expanding exchanges,66

as two pillars, under the Peace, Friendship and Exchange Initiative which has a purpose tobuild a relationship toward the future between Japan and neighboring countries.
We must not evade the weight of the past, nor should we evade our responsibilities for the
future. Japan, facing up squarely to its past history and accurately conveying it to future
generations, is determined to do its utmost to further promote the friendly relationship with the
Netherlands which will celebrate the 400th anniversary in the year 2000.

15. Report on the Activities of the Asian Women's Fund, Five Years
after Its Establishment(Distributed to members of the media, during a press conference on the occasion of Mr. Tomiichi
Murayama's appointment to the position of President of the AWF )1 September, 2000
The Asian Women's Fund was established through the united efforts of the Government andpeople of Japan. Its establishment was the result of a decision made by the Japanese
Government, which was painfully aware of its moral responsibility for the so-called wartime
comfort women issue. The objectives of the AWF are to promote two types of projects projects expressing the atonement of the Japanese people for the former comfort women,
and projects working for the resolution of problems faced by women today.
The Asian Women's Fund has been the object of numerous criticisms since its establishment
five years ago, on 19 July 1995. The path taken by the AWF has been strewn with many
controversies, not limited to the simple question as to whether the state should pay
compensation. In spite of numerous difficulties, the AWF has promoted a number of projects
and has achieved some fundamental results, thanks to the encouragement of many donors
and Japanese people from various walks of life, and thanks also to cooperation from officials
in relevant ministries and agencies of the Japanese Government.
Projects of Atonement
To date, Asian Women's Fund projects of atonement have provided support to 170 former
comfort women in the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan. In addition, medical andwelfare support projects, which are one aspect of the projects of atonement, have provided
services to 77 former comfort women in the Netherlands. This makes a total of 247 recipientsof support. The AWF is also supporting projects in Indonesia under a program called
Promotion of Social Welfare Services for Elderly People.
Each recipient in the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan was given a letter of
apology from the Prime Minister of Japan when receiving support under the projects ofatonement. In his letter, the Prime Minister recognizes that "the issue of comfort women,
which involved the Japanese military authorities at that time, was a grave affront to the honorand dignity of large numbers of women," and states that Japan is "painfully aware of its moral
responsibility" with regard to all former comfort women "who underwent immeasurable andpainful experiences and suffered incurable physical and mental wounds." The letter, signed
67

by the Prime Minister, expresses his "most sincere apologies and remorse" to all such
women.
The AWF's projects of atonement consist of three constituent parts. First of all, 2 million yen
is given as "atonement money" to each former comfort woman. This money comes fromdonations from Japanese people who share feelings of apology and remorse. Donations
received to date total about 448 million yen. Of this amount, 340 million yen has been
provided as "atonement money" to 170 people in the Philippines, the Republic of Korea andTaiwan, leaving a remainder of about 108 million yen.
Secondly, as an expression of its feelings of apology and remorse, the Japanese
Government is using its own financial resources to implement, through the Asian Women's
Fund, medical and welfare support for each former comfort woman. The monetary amount ofbenefits takes into consideration the cost of living in each country or region, and is equivalent
to 3 million yen per person in the Republic of Korea, Taiwan and the Netherlands, and 1.2
million yen per person in the Philippines. Project objectives include housing improvements,
nursing services, and assistance for the provision of medical treatment and pharmaceuticals.
The projects are designed to take into account the actual circumstances and wishes of each
former comfort woman.
The above-mentioned letter of apology from the Prime Minister of Japan is given to each
recipient as the third constituent part of the projects of atonement.
Project Implementation, by Country and Region
I would now like to report on the AWF's projects being implemented in the various countries
and region.
In the Philippines, applications are submitted under the assistance of LILA-PILIPINA, aprominent women's group, and the Asian Center for Women's Human Rights (ASCENT),
which promotes the human rights of women. The applications are examined by a task force of
the Philippine Government called Task Force on Filipino Comfort Women (TFFCW)(composed of officials in departments and agencies of the Philippine Government). Those
who have been recognized as former comfort women are provided with "atonement money"by the Asian Women's Fund. The AWF also implements, for their benefit, medical andwelfare support projects through the Philippine Government's Department of Social Welfare
and Development. Applications are being received steadily and verification procedures arecontinuing. At the present time, almost 160 applications are in the process of being examined,
and we expect that more applications will be made before the deadline, August 2001, a dateless than a year away.
In the Republic of Korea, the AWF has not been able to obtain the understanding of themedia or activists' groups that are promoting a campaign with former comfort women. The
AWF was criticized after projects were implemented for seven people who applied in January
1997, and as a result the projects were temporarily suspended. Projects began again in
January 1998, after notices were placed in four of the country's newspapers. Later, theKorean Government began providing public assistance payments, after which the AWF
requested, in a letter signed by its former President, Bunbei Hara, that it be recognized that68

potential recipients could receive both the AWF's "atonement money" and the Korean
Government's public
In Taiwan, too, the AWF has not been able to obtain the understanding of the authorities orprominent women's groups. Against this backdrop, the AWF is cooperating with a lawyer, Mr.
Lai Hao Min, who has stated that the feelings of the former comfort women should be
respected. The AWF has designated his Wanguo Law Office as the place where applications
for support can be sent. In May 1997, the AWF placed notices in three Taiwanesenewspapers. Once a year since then, it has placed the same notices in newspapers in
Taiwan, so that as many victims as possible can learn about the AWF's projects, and so that
other people, too, will correctly understand the nature and purpose of the projects.
Former comfort women who have accepted support under the AWF's projects of atonement
have expressed to us some of their profound emotions.
One Korean victim decided to accept benefits from the AWF, but indicated at first that she
was unwilling to meet a Fund representative. However, she later agreed to a meeting. Upon
hearing the representative read aloud to her the letter from the Prime Minister, she burst intotears, hugged the AWF's representative, and began to speak through her tears about her
experiences as a comfort woman and the suffering she had endured after returning to her
own country. From this, we believe that she has completely accepted the sincere expressionsof apology and remorse of the Government and people of Japan.
With regard to the Netherlands, on 15 July 1998, a Memorandum of Understanding was
signed between the AWF and the Project Implementation Committee in the Netherlands.
Medical and welfare support projects have been implemented under the MOU, on a scale of
255 million yen. Seventy-seven victims have accepted support, and the project is now close
to completion.
In his letter to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Japan's Prime Minister expressed his
Government's most sincere apologies and remorse to all former comfort women. The letter
was later given to each victim recipient. Some victims sent the Project Implementation
Committee their expressions of gratitude and personal messages, and here I would like toquote from one of those letters:"I thank you for all you have done and are committed to doing for me. I thank you not only forthis monetary compensation, but also for having recognized the misery I experienced as a girlof 15. You have softened the pain of a wound that is still open, a wound I have endured
through life."
The Indonesian Government indicated that it would not identify any former comfort women,
and stated to the Government of Japan that it would like to receive support not in the form ofassistance for individual former comfort women, but in the form of social welfare services for
elderly people. After this request was relayed from the Japanese Government to the Asian
Women's Fund, on 25 March 1997, the AWF concluded a Memorandum of Understanding
with the Department of Social Affairs of the Government of Indonesia. Under the terms of the
MOU, financial support for elderly people, amounting to a total of 380 million yen, is to be69

provided over 10 years. During the first two years of the project, 11 facilities for the elderly
were completed, and 124 people are now accommodated there.
Project to Learn from History
The project to learn from history is considered to be an essential element within the AWF's
projects of atonement.
The project consists of three components:
1.
The AWF collates data from books and journals relating to the comfort women. In
September 1997, it published "Ianfu" Kankei Bunken Mokuroku, (List of Documents Relating
to "Comfort Women"). This list was later placed in a database and made available throughthe AWF's website (http://www.awf.or.jp).
2.
The AWF has published photoengraved printed versions of comfort-women-relatedmaterials obtained during investigations conducted by the Japanese Government. The 5volume work, entitled Seifu Chousa "Jugun Ianfu" Kankei Shiryo Shusei (Compilation ofGovernment-collected Documentary Materials Relating to Wartime "Comfort Women"), waspublished between March and July 1997.
The AWF also established the Committee for Historical Materials on "Comfort Women."
During travel and research in 1996, 1997 and 1998, committee members studied the "Diaryof Department of the Army" written by Setsuzo Kanehara held by the National Institute for
Defense Studies, documents in the possession of the Okinawa Prefectural Government, andmaterials at government archives in the U.S., the Netherlands, Germany and Taiwan. During
the same period, committee members also conducted interviews in Indonesia and Micronesia.
The results of these investigations were included in the AWF's publication, "Ianfu" Mondai
Chousa Hokoku 1999 (Collection of Reports of Investigations into Documents Relating to"Comfort Women", 1999, published in February 1999).
Copies of these publications were donated to public libraries in Japan and the countries
concerned, and have received the high regard of relevant parties.

Addressing Problems Faced by Women Today

Violence against women and the violation of their human rights are two problems that are asprevalent as before in many parts of the world. Building on Japan's remorse for the past, theAsian Women's Fund is actively involved in efforts to resolve these problems, working fortheir elimination in society through a variety of projects.

To promote efforts to eliminate domestic violence, the trafficking of human beings, thecommercial exploitation of women, the violation of women's rights during armed conflict, andthe judicial maltreatment of women, over the last five years the AWF has worked with experts
and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Japan and abroad, and has organized70international conferences and promoted research, investigations and training sessions incooperation with local governments, the United Nations, and other international organizations.

To ensure that these numerous activities produce positive results, the AWF issues reports,
and produces videos to be used for educational and public awareness campaigns conductedby citizens' groups, local governments and groups of women. The AWF also organizes study
sessions with a view to raising the potential of providing aid and relief for women who are
victims and currently facing problems.

AWF projects for the dignity of women place importance on understanding and addressing
problems by looking at the issues through the victims' own eyes. When we first launchedsuch projects, some NGO representatives could not understand why the AWF was involved,
but I believe that after five years of our activities, they are steadily coming to accept our roleand the significance of our efforts.

Future Goals of the Asian Women's FundWith the willingness of the Government and people of Japan to cooperate, the Asian
Women's Fund has promoted two types of projects - projects expressing the feelings ofatonement all Japanese have toward the former comfort women, and projects addressing
problems faced by women today. The AWF hopes that these projects are contributing to therestoration of the honor of former comfort women, and that our efforts will be of someassistance to all women who have been victimized, helping them become self-reliant. The
AWF also wants to do what it can so that all those who receive support under our projects ofatonement will be accepted without discrimination in society.

AWF projects addressing problems faced by women today have enjoyed the support of many
researchers, local governments, media organizations, governments, internationalorganizations and NGOs, and we hope that we can work even closer with such organizations
and groups in the future.

The AWF's projects of atonement have still not been completed. We request in all sincerity
even greater understanding from the victims, relevant governments and political authorities,
and people in general. And we hope that, in places where our projects have been suspended,
we will be able to recommence them after obtaining the understanding of governments andrelevant associations.

7116. Chief Cabinet Secretary's Press Statement
1 September, 2000
Hidenao Nakagawa, Chief Cabinet Secretary
The Asian Women's Fund was established in July 1995, and has now passed its fifth
anniversary. Today, former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama has been chosen as the
AWF's President, and the Government of Japan fully welcomes his appointment. At this time I
would like to clarify once again the basic understanding of the Government of Japan, which
established the AWF and has continued to support it.
1.

The Japanese Government is painfully aware of its moral responsibility regarding
the so-called wartime comfort women issue, and has been dealing with this issue inall sincerity through the AWF.

2.

Today, former Prime Minister Murayama was appointed as the new President of the
Asian Women's Fund. A short while ago, he visited Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori togreet him as the AWF's new President. The AWF was established in 1995 andtherefore reached its fifth anniversary this year, and its projects expressing thefeeling of atonement of the Japanese people for the so-called wartime comfort
women issue are generally making steady progress. The Government has madecontributions from its budget to the AWF , and has been implementing medical andwelfare support projects for former comfort women through the AWF . In addition,
money from a wide spectrum of the Japanese population has been donated to the
AWF, to the amount of about 450 million yen. We understand that the AWF has
used some of these financial resources to provide "atonement money" to 170 former
comfort women so far.

3.

Under its new President, Mr. Murayama, the AWF will do everything it can topromote its projects related to the so-called wartime comfort women issue, to collectand collate materials relating to comfort women, and to promote projects addressing
problems faced by women today. The Government hopes that all these projects will
make steady progress, and intends to continue cooperating as much as possible
with the AWF's projects.

17. Statement of the AWF on Close of Project in Korea (Excerpt)
20 February, 2002
1. “Atonement Projects” of the Asian Women’s Fund in the Philippines, Korea, and Taiwan
have been carried out with a fixed term. Each project was planned to be completed after five
years.
2. While the Atonement Project in Korea was launched in January 11, 1997, the AWF Boardof Directors decided to suspend the project on July 30, 1999 after taking all thecircumstances into consideration, particularly the opposition to the project in Korea. For this72

reason, at the meeting on December 17, 2001, the Board of Directions decided that the
project would continue to be suspended after January 10, 2002, the initial date of conclusion.
3. Then, after protracted negotiations and consultations with various quarters, the Board of
Directors met on February 15. It recognized the difficulty of changing the current situation anddecided to cancel the suspension as of February 20, 2002. This means that the project inKorea will be concluded on May 1, 2002, when entire “Atonement Project” is expected tofinish.
4. Although the project will come to an end soon, our resolution is to express the deep
repentance of both the Japanese government and the Japanese people toward the former“comfort women,” who have taught us a lesson in history.

18．An Expression of Gratitude to All Donors
October, 2002
Tomiichi Murayama, President of the Asian Women’s Fund
A message to all who kindly donated to the Asian Women’s Fund atonement projects
Seven years have passed since the establishment of the Asian Women’s Fund, and the
AWF’s atonement projects were recently completed in the Philippines, the Republic of Korea
and Taiwan. Here, I would like to express our deep gratitude to all who donated atonementmoney for those forced to become comfort women.
The term “comfort women” refers to those who were forced to provide sexual services to
officers and men at comfort stations established with the involvement of the former Japanesemilitary during the last World War. Many women at those comfort stations had their honor anddignity gravely trampled upon, and suffered incurable physical and psychological trauma.
On August 4, 1993, the Chief Cabinet Secretary expressed the Japanese Government’s
sincere feelings of apology and remorse. After his Statement, the government and people ofJapan searched for ways to offer atonement.
Painfully aware of its moral responsibility, the government decided to establish the Asian
Women’s Fund, which would implement projects of atonement of the Japanese people, in
cooperation with the government and citizens of Japan. The AWF was established on July 19,
1995.
After the government took this initiative, the Asian Women’s Fund decided that the projects ofatonement of the Japanese people would involve: (i) atonement money financed by donations
from the Japanese people; (ii) medical and welfare support projects financed by
disbursements from the Japanese government; and (iii) a letter of apology from the Prime
Minister of Japan, sent to each former comfort woman with these benefits. The Asian
Women’s Fund then launched a campaign calling on the Japanese people to donate money.

73

The projects of atonement of the Japanese people began on August 13, 1996 in thePhilippines, on January 1, 1997 in the Republic of Korea, and on May 2, 1997 in Taiwan.
Because of a strong desire to implement the projects as soon as possible for the women, whowere advanced in age, it was decided that the project duration would be five years. The
deadline for receipt of applications was August 2001 in the Philippines, and May 2002 in the
Republic of Korea and Taiwan. The projects of atonement were recently concluded in thosecountries and region.
Project of atonement benefits were provided to 285 recipients in those countries and region.
Many recipients sent us favorable comments, such as, “I never thought I would receive
apologies from the Prime Minister and money. I know they represent the feelings of good willof the Japanese people.”
Since the establishment of the Asian Women’s Fund, the total amount of money donated by
Japanese citizens has reached more than 565 million yen. All of this money was provided toformer comfort women of the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan.
We are deeply grateful to all Japanese donors. I am pleased to note that cooperation among
the citizens and government of Japan made it possible for the projects of atonement of theJapanese people to be implemented in the above-mentioned countries and region, and for
the Asian Women’s Fund to undertake the projects.
Some former comfort women and support groups in those countries and region criticized the
Asian Women’s Fund atonement projects, saying that the Japanese government should
acknowledge legal responsibility and pay compensation to individuals from the State treasury.
The Asian Women’s Fund tried, in all sincerity, to enter into a dialogue with them in order toobtain their understanding.
In the Netherlands, medical and welfare support programs financed by Japanese government
disbursements were implemented from 1998 to 2001 through the Project Implementation
Committee in the Netherlands, with program benefits being provided to 79 former comfort
women of that country. They were each also given, together with the benefits, a copy of theletter of apology sent by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto of Japan to Prime Minister Willem
Kok of the Netherlands.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Indonesia, it was decided
that the Asian Women’s Fund would support social welfare projects implemented by thatgovernment for elderly people in Indonesia. The projects are planned to last 10 years, startingin March 1997, and are now being implemented.
In addition to the projects of atonement, the Asian Women’s Fund has also promoted projects
aimed at resolving problems faced by women today. The projects spring from a strong senseof remorse for the Japan of the past that created that detestable system, the comfort womensystem.
The AWF has also promoted a greater awareness of the comfort women issue, so that it willserve as a lesson of history. The AWF’s collection, survey and analysis of relevant historical
documents, and the public awareness campaigns based on the knowledge gained through74

those efforts, have crystallized in a determination that the Japanese people must never forget
the issue or repeat the same mistakes.
We believe in the importance of the AWF’s projects described above, and intend to continue
our efforts in the future.
We sincerely hope that we can continue to count on the sympathetic understanding andsupport of all Japanese citizens.

75

History
1991
Dec
1993
4 Aug

1994
31 Aug

7 Dec

1995
9 Jun

14 Jun18 Jul19 Jul11 Aug
15 Aug
8 Dec

The Government started the fact-finding study on the issue of the so-called“Wartime Comfort Women.”
Japanese government releases its report on the results of its investigation.
（ Report entitled On the Issue of Wartime “Comfort Women” ） Chief
Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono issues a statement on the results of thisinvestigation.
Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama issues a statement expressing his“profound and sincere remorse and apologies ”with regard to the wartime
comfort women issue, and states his desire to find an appropriate way toenable the wide participation of Japanese people in the expression of suchfeelings of remorse and apology.
The three political parties in the ruling coalition (Liberal Democratic Party,
Socialist Party and New Party Sakigake) propose that Japan carry out, withbroad national participation, atonement activities for the so-called wartime
comfort women and support activities that aim to resolve problems
concerning the honor and dignity of women.
Plenary session of the House of Representatives passes a resolution
entitled, “Renewing Japan's Determination for Peace, Taking to Heart the
Lessons of History”
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kozo Igarashi gives information on projects of the
proposed Asian Women's Fund（provisional name at this time）, outlines
the government's role, and names Fund proponents.
The AWF's Proponents issue “An Appeal for Donations for the Asian
Women's Fund.” Remarks by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama arereleased.
The Asian Women's Fund is established, and Bunbei Hara, Former
President of the House of Councilors, is installed as the president of the
Asian Women’s Fund.
The Cabinet consents to the Government cooperating with Asian Women's
Fund projects. An activity for donation begins.
Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama “On the Occasion of the50th Anniversary of the War’s End” is issued.
The Asian Women's Fund is given authorization to act as a non-profit
foundation, under the joint jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Office and theMinistry of Foreign Affairs.

76

1996
Jul

Aug
1997
Jan
Mar

May
1998
Jan
Jul

2000
Sep

2001
Jan

Jul
Aug
2002
May
Sep
Oct
Oct-Dec

The AWF decides that the projects of atonement of the Japanese people willconsist of: (i) atonement money in the amount of two million yen for each
former comfort woman, financed through donations from the Japanesepeople; (ii) a letter of apology from the Prime Minster of Japan; and (iii)
medical and welfare support projects financed by the Japanese government,
totaling seven hundred million yen.
Projects of atonement of the Japanese people begin in the Philippines.
Projects of atonement of the Japanese people begin in the Republic ofKorea.
A Memorandum of Understanding for projects entitled Promotion of Social
Welfare Services for Elderly People is signed by the Indonesian Department
of Social Affairs and the AWF.
Advertisements regarding AWF projects are placed in newspapers in Taiwan,
and projects of atonement of the Japanese people begin there.
Advertisements regarding AWF projects are placed in newspapers in the
Republic of Korea.
The AWF signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Project
Implementation Committee in the Netherlands (PICN), and projects ofatonement of the Japanese people begin there.
Tomiichi Murayama, a former Prime Minister of Japan, becomes the second
President of the Asian Women’s Fund. On the occasion of Mr. Murayama’s
appointment as President, then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Hidenao Nakagawa
states at a press conference that the Japanese Government will continue tocooperate with the AWF.
The Asian Women's Fund is placed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs, as part of a restructuring of government ministries andagencies.
Projects implemented by the PICN are concluded.
The period for applying for project benefits ends in the Philippines
The period for applying for project benefits ends in the Republic of Korea andTaiwan.
Projects are concluded in the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan,
with a total of 285 beneficiaries.
Advertisement regarding an expression of gratitude to all donors for theatonement project is placed in newspapaers.
Briefing sessions reporting on Asian Women’s Fund activities are held in
locations throughout Japan.

77

List of Officers
Name

Title

President
Vice-President

Tomiichi Murayama
Nobuo Ishihara

Executive Director

Yoshiko Otaka
Momoyo Ise

Director

Makiko Arima

Yasuaki Onuma
Mitsuko Shimomura
Haruki Wada
Tatsuo Yamaguchi

Former Prime Minister
President, Research Institute for Local Government
Former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary
Former Member of the House of Councilors
Former Director, Specialist Service Division, Office of
Human Resources Management, U.N.
Journalist, Former Japanese Representative to the U.N.
Commission on the Status of Women
Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo
Former Vice-Governor of the Tokyo Metropolitan
Government
Chairperson, Japan Trade Union Confederation
Former Minister of State, Economic Planning Agency
Vice-President of the Central Executive Committee,
All Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers’ Union
Professor, University of Tokyo
Jounalist
Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo
Former Ambassador to Singapore and then to Spain

Yutaka Hashimoto

Permanent Director, Seibi Gakuen School

Ryoko Akamatsu
Sumio Edamura
Seiko Hayashi
Ichiko Ishihara
Kaichiro Kino

Former Minister of Education
Former Ambassador to Russia
Vice-Chairperson, Japan Trade Union Confederation
Member of Advisory Committee, Forbes Japan Edition
Former Secretariat Councilor, Management &Coordination Agency
Attorney

Directors

Shinkichi Eto
Teruko Kanehira
Tadayoshi Kusano
Isamu Miyazaki
Kenji Okabe

Auditor
AuditorCouncilor
Councilor

Mitsuko Wakana

Advisory Committee
Chairperson

Yozo Yokota

Members

Masahiko Daimon
Hiroko Hashimoto
Yoko Hayashi
Kuniko Nonaka

Soji Takasaki
Haruki Wada
Tatsuo Yamaguchi

Professor, Chuo University, Senior Advisor to the
Rector of U.N.University
Director of Political Department, All Japan Prefectural andMunicipal Workers’ Union
Professor, Jumonji Gakuen Women’s University
Attorney
Attorney, Chairperson of the Committee on Women’sIssues, National Federation of Consultative
Assemblies of Civil Liberties Commissioners
Professor, Tsuda College
Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo
Former Ambassador to Singapore and then to Spain78

List of Former Officers

Name

Title at the time of assumption of office(Duration of Service)

President

Bunbei Hara

Former President of the House of Councilors

Director

Ichiro Kaneda

President of Foundation of Social Development for SeniorDirectors(Jul 1995 – Sep 1999)
Citizens (Jul 1995 – Mar 1997)
Tsutomu Hotta

Attorney, Former Deputy Vice-Minister of Justice(Jul 1995 – Mar 1997)

Tsuneo Enomoto

Vice Chairperson of the Central Executive Committee,
All Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers’ Union(Jul 1995 – Oct 1997)

Etsuya Washio

Secretary-General, Japan Trade Union Confederation

Koei Sato

Vice Chairperson of the Central Executive Committee,(Jul 1995 – Nov 1997)
All Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers’ Union(Nov 1997 – Oct 1999)
Kiyoshi Sasamori

Secretary-General, Japan Trade Union Confederation

Shingo Fukuyama

Vice Chairperson of the Central Executive Committee,(Nov 1997 – Oct 2001)
All Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers’ Union(Oct 1999 – Oct 2001)

Councilor
Councilor

Kanji Takaoka

Former Deputy Vice-Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office

Kiyoko Kumasaki

Vice-Chairperson, Japan Trade Union Confederation

Junko Takashima

Vice-Chairperson, Japan Trade Union Confederation

Aiko Noda

Attorney (Dec 1995 – Mar 2003)(Dec 1995 – Jul 1998)(Dec 1995 – Mar 2000)(Mar 2000 – Oct 2001)

Advisory Committee
Members

Yukio Okamoto

International Consultant (Jul 1995 – Mar 1997)

Kenichi Goto

Professor, Waseda University (Jul 1995 – Mar 1997)

Shigeru Nakajima

Director, International Affairs, All Japan Prefectural andMunicipal Workers’ Union (Jul 1995 – Oct 1999)

Haruki Wada

Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo, [Present Director](Jul 1995 – Oct 2000)

Takeshi Kasami

Director of Political Department, All Japan Prefectural andMunicipal Workers’ Union (Dec 1995 – Oct 2001)

Takanori Aeba

Member of the Japan-Korea Cultural Exchange Council(Jul 1995 – Mar 2003)

Shigeki Yamaguchi

Director of Political Department, All Japan Prefectural andMunicipal Workers’ Union (Oct 2001 – Dec 2003)

79