Two Japanese American bishops of the United Methodist Church criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo for his statements denying that women were forced into sexual slavery by Japan’s military during World War II.
In a letter to Abe, Bishop Roy I. Sano, retired bishop in the Western Jurisdiction and executive secretary to the Council of Bishops, said “join those around the world who are outraged by your denial of the well documented sex slaves used by the Japanese military during World War II. Your denial places you in the category of those who deny the Holocaust against six million Jews!”
Sano, a former Poston internee, added, “Your remarks destabilize the region against Japan and even jeopardize Japanese tourists who go abroad. As a Nisei in the U.S. during WWII, want to remind you that actions by Japan turn us into the most accessible target to vent anger and hatred.”
Abe’s comments have sparked outrage throughout the United States and Asia. Japanese leaders apologized in 1993 for the government’s role, but the apology was not approved by Parliament. Abe said Thursday that he “basically stands by the 1993 apology.”
Historians say that about 200,000 women—mostly from Korea and China —served in Japanese military brothels throughout Asia in the 1930s and 1940s.
Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata, Resident Bishop, Portland Area, also said the prime minister should apologize and retract his statement.
|
