US Asks Japan For Sex Slavery Apology

Posted by: gretchen on July 31, 2007 |

Yesterday, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution that asked Japan to issue a formal apology to the women who were forced to become sex slaves during World War II. The Japanese government is not happy about this one bit and I can totally understand their stance. While they acknowledge that sex slavery existed during WWII, they are not claiming that their military had anything to do with it. So if they aren’t responsible, then why apologize? Some may argue that you should apologize even when you are not at fault, but I disagree with that. Why take the blame if you are not guilty? To me it seems like a false sense of reconciliation. It is not a true apology unless the person issuing it is the responsible party and is sincerely sorry for their actions.

If the Japanese government decides to comply and issue a formal apology, what do the women who were victimized stand to gain here? Even though the circumstances were traumatic, I can’t imagine that there are women whose entire lives are on hold because the Japanese (or whoever is actually responsible) has not confessed their transgressions. I sincerely hope that the women involved in this tragedy have found the strength to put the past behind them. I am willing to bet that some of them have even turned their unfortunate circumstances into something good.

So what if Japan refuses to apologize? I say “who cares?” Let’s move on with our lives. If I had to sit around and wait for an apology from everyone who has ever offended me, my life would have to be cryogenically frozen in order to preserve my sanity for the day when the “I’m sorry’s” finally started rolling in. In reality, that day will never come to pass.

People will offend us every day of our lives. That is a guarantee. It is up to us as individuals to decided if we are going to dwell on the offense, or just move on with our lives. If I could have just 5 seconds on the floor of our nation’s Capitol, I’d just like to say “We can’t change the past, so how about working on some current issues here folks.” ;)

Comments

10 Responses to “US Asks Japan For Sex Slavery Apology”

  1. Beth on July 31st, 2007 4:20 pm
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    Hmmm…I think maybe the point is for them to apologize for the fact that it even happened. Even if you are not directly responsible for creating the act for which an apology is being requested, I think it’s important that it is recognized as wrong. The Japanese government obviously did nothing to stop it from happening, so indirectly, they are responsible. And quite frankly, to say that these women have probably gone on to take something positive from it (to quote you “Even though the circumstances were traumatic, I can’t imagine that there are women whose entire lives are on hold because the Japanese (or whoever is actually responsible) has not confessed their transgressions. I sincerely hope that the women involved in this tragedy have found the strength to put the past behind them. I am willing to bet that some of them have even turned their unfortunate circumstances into something good.”) is somewhat odd to say. Rape and sex slavery is not something a woman tends to go on from without severe scarring emotionally..if not physically. One can choose pick themselves up and try to carry on with life. However, I am willing to bet that these women went to their graves altered emotionally because of the horrific abuse they endured at the hands of men, many of whom were employed by a government who was willing to turn a blind eye to what was going on. And many are still alive to this day and I believe they deserve an apology. They had no choice but to allow these men to abuse them repeatedly in this way. Their lives would never be the same because of it. The Japanese government should do something to let these women know THEY KNOW it was wrong.

  2. Beth on July 31st, 2007 4:23 pm
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    That was long…sorry!! :)

  3. gretchen on July 31st, 2007 4:34 pm
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    I agree. These women absolutely deserve something. They deserve something way more than an apology! I just think it’s a little nuts for the US to demand that Japan issue a formal statement.

    My main point is that if Japan refuses to apologize, so be it. I never got an apology from the drunk driver that shattered my spine and I’m certainly not going to *demand* one even though I think I *deserve* one. I think if an apology is coerced, then it can’t be sincere, ya know? I’d rather the apology be real.

    Also, I don’t think it is an odd thing to say that some women may have turned tragedy into triumph. Why couldn’t they? :-??

  4. Beth on August 1st, 2007 10:25 am
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    I said it was odd because even though it is possible to do so, I cannot imagine anyone ever becoming whole after something like that. And while many of them may have gone on to have fruitful lives, I can’t believe any of them would say they learned something positive from it, or even had the ability to stand up against the men in that country to make a difference. It’s quite a different culture over there at that time.

  5. missfashion usa1 on August 1st, 2007 4:25 pm
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    oh my gawd !!!!!!! the US should not have that right to even bring up that subject that is soo disrespectful inappropriate and straight out in exeptable! omg
    :)>-

  6. gretchen on August 1st, 2007 5:03 pm
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    @Beth - I wouldn’t expect anyone to forget what happened to them, but I do believe that healing is possible. I am also a firm believer that you can find triumph in tragedy. :)

  7. jesus tells right from wrong on August 19th, 2007 6:06 am
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    what you talking about is horrible. what about you were one of the comforting women? what about somebody is coercing you into being raped? are you still going to say:”do it, so I could trimph later.”

    this is a moral thing, without force, the Germans would not have admitted that they were wrong to the Jews.

    Go to college to be reeducated!

    not god

  8. gretchen on August 20th, 2007 8:54 am
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    First off, I have a college degree and secondly I don’t think that has anything to do with this discussion.

    I think you missed my point entirely. I don’t think forcing an apology resolves anything. The apology is not sincere.

    And your argument doesn’t make sense…if someone is “coercing you” then you don’t get a choice to say yes or no.

    Yes it IS a tragedy, but these women deserve a REAL, HEARTFELT apology, not some insincere drivel on a government stamped piece of paper. [-(

  9. imani on October 13th, 2007 11:41 am
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    I agree I dont think there is a point of making them apologize unless they mean it. I do think they should be made to do or give something to the women. But who can judge what will be enough? I think that is the real question.

  10. lami on May 23rd, 2008 7:17 am
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    us is in no position to ask for appologies

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