Women Forced Into WWII Brothels Served Necessary Role, Osaka Mayor Says

[ismnotwasm]

TOKYO — The mayor of one of Japan’s largest cities, who is seen by some as a possible future prime minister, drew an outcry on Monday after he said women forced into wartime brothels for the Japanese Army during World War II had served a necessary role in providing relief for war-crazed soldiers.
Toru Hashimoto, the populist mayor of Osaka, also said American soldiers stationed in Okinawa should make more use of the island’s adult entertainment industry, which he said would reduce the incidence of sexual crimes against local women.

Lawmakers and human rights groups swiftly condemned the remarks. So did South Korea, whose citizens made up the bulk of the so-called comfort women who served Japanese soldiers in military brothels.

South Korea’s Yonhap News quoted a senior government official there as saying Mr. Hashimoto’s comments exposed “a serious lack of historical understanding and a lack of respect for human rights.”

The conduct of the Japanese military in Asia before and during World War II remains a highly charged topic between Japan’s neighbors, who say Tokyo has not properly atoned for its history of wartime atrocities, and those, like Mr. Hashimoto, who feel that Japan has been unfairly demonized.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/world/asia/mayor-in-japan-says-comfort-women-played-a-necessary-role.html?_r=0

*sigh* how about ending the need for 'war crazed' soldiers, like no war? How about treating men like human beings with sexual self control? How about treating women like human beings, not commodities?

How about NOT implying men who aren't satisfied with self gratification and fantasy will go out and rape if they can't have 'the real thing'?

[msongs]

2. how bout US troops out of Okinawa so Okinawans can have their women to themselves nt

[geek tragedy]

11. "so Okinawans can have their women to themselves"

Oh jeez.

[seabeyond]

12. msongs are consistently...

oh geez.

lol

[LanternWaste]

16. What precisely does "have their women all the themselves" refer to?

You then believe the presence of the US denies women to the native Okinawans, and that if the US presence is removed, the Okinawan men "can have their women all to themselves"?

If that is indeed the case, what precisely does "have their women all the themselves" mean? (I only ask because I'm not as clever as you are... and often need implication and innuendo cleared up for me)

[Nanjing to Seoul]

3. Tell that to my wife's grandmother who was gang raped by Japanese soldiers in Danyang

at the age of 13 in 1938. She served a purpose. . .she got poor, Japanese soldiers (THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE FUCKING BEEN IN CHINA IN THE FUCKING FIRST PLACE) the release from killing UNARMED, SURRENDERED AND DEFENSELESS CHINESE CIVILIANS!!!

FUCK THAT MOTHERFUCKER!!!

Go ahead, call me a racist. Fuck that asshole!

[JustAnotherGen]

4. Tell me how you really feel

My heart breaks for her. And still I would say most Americans have never heard of The Rape of Nanking. So your words - own them. Everyone should know . . . so that they can never forget.

[ismnotwasm]

9. I am so sorry

That was a horrible disgraceful time.

[MadrasT]

5. Because women exist for the comfort and convenience of men

Fuck that noise

[smirkymonkey]

14. This makes me absolutely sick.

I'm sorry, but I think he should be shot for that statement.

[seabeyond]

6. really? it provided a health care, men raping women. nt

[gollygee]

7. Holy crap

These soldiers needed to rape some women or they'd rape other women?

[ismnotwasm]

8. I don't think the ones who spout off that particular talking point

Understand EXACTLY what they're saying. It's used as a argument to legalize prostitution. Sick

[geek tragedy]

10. Well, you know, men have NEEDS.

The 'logic' underpinning pro-prostitution policies is not so far removed from rape apologism, is it?

Of course, it gets dressed up as "we really care about the rights of our brothers and sisters who exercise free will and decide to become sex workers."

Boners uber alles.

[seabeyond]

13. yes. nt

[GeoWilliam750]

15. Hashimoto and Ishihara (former Tokyo mayor)

Have done so much damage to Japan, but this time the domestic backlash against them has been swift and severe.

One can only hope that this sucks their party out of Japan politics like a vacuum toilet, such as happened to one of their party members who in the last couple of days said there are swarms of Korean prostitutes in Japan. That statement was followed by a gratifying 'whoosh' sound.

Shintaro Ishihara was the politician that precipitated the recent crisis with China, and made a lot of similarly stupid, racist statements. More about him at the link below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintaro_Ishihara

Regarding US troops in Okinawa, the really sad thing, though, is that Hashimoto is just echoing/paraphrasing what a/the leading US General in Okinawa said a few years ago following the rape of a local girl - this was also followed by a 'whoosh' sound.