The ROC government urges the Japanese government to begin negotiations on an apology and compensation for Taiwan’s comfort women as soon as possible, in the wake of a consensus between Japan and the Republic of Korea on comfort women.
The Republic of China government has long been concerned about the issue of comfort women. With regard to negotiations between Japan and the Republic of Korea on this issue, the government has been closely monitoring developments since the beginning of Foreign Ministry director general-level talks between Japan and the Republic of Korea on April 16, 2014. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Japan was instructed to gather related information, convey the government’s solemn position on the issue, and demand that any positive outcomes be extended in kind to Taiwan’s comfort women, so as to properly resolve the issue.
Prior to the meeting on this issue between the foreign ministers of Japan and the Republic of Korea on Dec. 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and TECRO approached the Japanese government simultaneously in Taipei and Tokyo. In addition to expressing the ROC’s solemn and unwavering position, they sternly demanded once again that Japan open talks with the ROC as soon as possible. MOFA has also been working closely over the long term with the Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation, which has been dedicated to helping comfort women for years.
In his remarks on Aug. 14 this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe conveyed the country’s deepest remorse and apologies regarding its actions in the war. He also expressed Japan’s regret over the “women behind the battlefields whose honor and dignity were severely injured.” President Ma Ying-jeou, in response to Abe’s remarks, said Aug. 15 that the ROC government believes that Japan is willing to reflect on and examine its past actions, and urged Japan to do more, and do better, especially with respect to comfort women.
The government’s stance is that Japan should apologize and provide compensation to Taiwan’s comfort women. The government of Japan fully understands the ROC position. Active communication is ongoing in Taipei between Chang Jen-joe, Secretary General of the Association of East Asian Relations, and Takashi Hamada, Secretary General of the Interchange Association (Japan), Taipei Office, and in Tokyo between ROC Representative Shen Ssu-tsun and Imai Tadashi, President of the Interchange Association (Japan). In the next few days, the ROC government will convene a working group to formulate an updated demand with which to approach Japan for the swift opening of talks and positive reply to its requests, calling on Japan to deal with the matter of Taiwan’s comfort women in a responsible manner, so as to deliver the justice and dignity that the victims deserve.
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