“Comfort women” are young girls from various Asian/Asia-Pacific countries who were kidnapped and/or tricked into sexual slavery by Japan during World War II. The systematic and government-sponsored human trafficking and seuxal slavery were implemented “to boost army morale; to control the behavior of the soldiers; to contain venereal diseases among the troops; and to prevent rapes by Japanese soldiers.”The victims were deceitfully and/or forcibly taken and then shamed into silence.

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For more information, check out https://passionfruit.one/spotlight/comfortwomen. 

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The term “comfort women” is a euphemism coined by the Japanese military. A euphemism is a mild word that acts as a substitute for another word that is considered to be too harsh/blunt when referring to something unpleasant/embarrassing. By referring to the victims as “comfort women,” it ​​obscures the gravity of the abuse they were forced to endure. Their presence was not “comforting” to Japanese soldiers—the women were exploited.

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Lee Ok-sun, a Korean survivor, said “It was not a ‘comfort’ station. It was a slaughterhouse!” This comment highlights the contrast between the denotation and connotation of the word “comfort.”The victims were killed rather than treated when sick, prohibited from leaving the stations, publicly executed when caught trying to escape, and denied proper burials.

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Modern Relevancy 

In 2012, it was reported that U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton ordered the use of the term “enforced sex slaves” instead of the euphemism in her department. In response, Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said, “If that is confirmed, I will tell her that it is an incorrect expression.” By pushing the term “comfort women,” they are ultimately undermining the suffering the victims went through.

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Understanding the Euphemism| 

It was also reported that Japan ordered its diplomats to block construction of monuments in the U.S. intended to memorialize “comfort women.” This shows that Japan is still denying responsibility for their war crimes and is still trying to erase their atrocious past. Hence, it is important to listen to the victims’ stories while they are still alive.

It is important to note the choice in terminology. Who was being “comforted”? Can it be called “comforting” when victims were coerced? The victims themselves denounce the term “comfort women” and there have been more accurate and appropriate phrases that have been suggested. However, it still continues to be used as the universal phrase to address the victims.

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