News New Zealand rejects ‘comfort women’ statue after Japanese objections

[thomas]

New Zealand officials on Wednesday rejected a proposal to install a statue commemorating so-called "comfort women", after Japan indicated the move could affect diplomatic relations. The issue refers to women, many from Korea, China and Southeast Asia, who were forced into sexual slavery by Japan from 1932 to 1945. Estimates suggest up to 200,000 were affected, and the subject remains sensitive in Japan's relations with neighbouring countries.

The Korean Garden Trust applied to install a statue honouring the survivors at Barry's Point Reserve in Takapuna, an Auckland suburb. The plan went through public consultation, but the local council turned it down. Council board chair Trish Deans said the decision was not taken lightly and that staff advice and community feedback had been considered before it was made.

Among the submissions was a letter from the Japanese ambassador to New Zealand, Makoto Osawa, which claimed it could "cause division and conflict within New Zealand's wonderful multi-ethnic and multicultural society and between Japanese and Korean communities". Wellington's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the Japanese government had made "formal representations" about the proposed statue. Deans said many submitters had supported the statue as an opportunity to learn and reflect on what happened during the war. "We recognise the significance of the history the statue represents, and we acknowledge the survivors whose stories it seeks to honour." Some historians say as many as 200,000 women – mostly from Korea, but also China, south-east Asia, as well as a small number from Japan and Europe – were forced or tricked into working in military brothels between 1932 and 1945. They were euphemistically referred to as "comfort women" – a term Japan continues to use, despite survivors having taken issue with the label.

The issue has surfaced repeatedly in recent years. In 2018, Osaka ended its 60-year sister-city relationship with San Francisco after the US city agreed to recognise a similar statue. The move was seen at the time as unusually strong, and it drew attention. Tensions continued. In 2020, Japan reacted angrily to statues in South Korea that appeared to show then-prime minister Shinzo Abe kneeling before a young woman. Officials criticised the imagery, saying it was inappropriate and damaging. More recently, in 2025, a so-called peace statue was removed from Berlin after a years-long dispute. The issue has not gone away.

Japan maintains that the "comfort women" issue was settled "finally and irreversibly" under a 2015 agreement between Abe and then-South Korean President Park Geun-hye. Under that deal, Japan agreed to provide ¥1 billion, about $9 million, in what it described as humanitarian funds for a foundation supporting survivors. In contrast, Seoul agreed not to raise the issue in international forums.

New Zealand officials reject ‘comfort women’ statue after objections from Japan

Statue recognising Japan’s sexual slavery of up to 200,000 women in second world war will no longer be erected in Auckland

www.theguardian.com

 

[Lothor]

Whether this issue should continue to be stressed by Korea is a moot point (I think Korea should let it go, provided Japanese public figures don't attempt to whitewash history), but:
1) Giving money on the condition that Korea shuts up about the issue does not demonstrate sincerity by Japan; such money should be given unconditionally as recompense.
2) A more mature approach by Japan at this stage would be just to let the statue be erected.

 

[Achilles 1-1]

There are many things that I can find an excuse for, but erecting a statue of a comfort woman in San Fransisco… why? Sure, we should remember it, and honor it, but erecting a statue under penalty of ending a partnership that spanned 60 years is honestly stupid. And again, why? Just why? Just let it go, so long as whitewashing of history doesn't happen.

If we had a statue for every wartime injustice that happened a long time ago, I'm not sure we have enough materials to make them.

 

[mdchachi]

There are many things that I can find an excuse for, but erecting a statue of a comfort woman in San Fransisco… why? Sure, we should remember it, and honor it, but erecting a statue under penalty of ending a partnership that spanned 60 years is honestly stupid. And again, why? Just why? Just let it go, so long as whitewashing of history doesn't happen.

If we had a statue for every wartime injustice that happened a long time ago, I'm not sure we have enough materials to make them.

This had nothing to do with San Francisco.

 

[Achilles 1-1]

This had nothing to do with San Francisco.

Third paragraph

 

[mdchachi]

Third paragraph

Oops, I missed it.

Obviously the people behind the statue didn't anticipate that Osaka would get butthurt about it. Osaka should have fought art with art. Maybe by sponsoring a statue commemorating the Japanese American citizens who were unjustly detained and placed into camps.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

I always remember visiting a small WWII prisoner of war camp near Fukuoka. There was a dirt pile about 25 feet high and 30 feet around. I asked what it was for. I was told the prisoners were made to spend the daylight hours lugging the dirt in 5 gallon pails from one spot to another day in and day out.