Japan sorry for injuring dignity, honor of Filipino comfort women

APOLOGY. Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Press Secretary Mariko Kaneko on Monday (July 8, 2024) night discussed outcomes of the second 2 Plus 2 meeting with news reporters at Edsa Shangri La The Fort in Taguig City. In a GMA interview, she conveyed Japan’s apology and deep remorse for the “injured” dignity and honor of Filipino comfort women during its occupation of the Philippines in World War II. (Photo by Ma. Teresa P. Montemayor)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Japanese Foreign Ministry conveyed Japan’s apology and deep remorse for the “injured” dignity and honor of Filipino comfort women during its occupation of the Philippines in World War II.

“We fully recognize that the dignity and honor of those former comfort women was injured, and to that, the government of Japan has been extending, expressing apologies, and for deep remorse for those actions during the war,” Japanese Foreign Ministry Deputy Press Secretary Kaneko Mariko said in a GMA interview.

Mariko spoke to the press on Monday following the 2+2 defense and foreign ministerial meeting between Japan and the Philippines.

During World War II, thousands of women across Asia, including the Philippines, became victims of sexual slavery by the Japanese military forces.

In 1956, Manila and Tokyo signed a reparation agreement, under which Japan would provide the country with services and goods valued at the equivalent of USD550 million.

Earlier this month, Senator Risa Hontiveros reiterated her call for just and meaningful reparations for Filipino comfort women and their families, stressing that time is running out for the Philippine government to seek redress for and recognize the few remaining “Malaya Lolas”.

Hontiveros made this appeal following her meeting with the nonprofit organization Malaya Lolas, which is composed of Filipino survivors of sex slavery.

She said only 18 Malaya Lolas remain and that they cannot wait any longer.