Scores turn out to protest over comfort women statue plan as the international press look on

Editor, Strathfield Scene

Hmmm, good to see Strathfield continuing to tackle the big issues for its community. How about you build the town centre rather than worrying about this nonsense.

I wish to object to this fanciful idea of erecting such a statue to these so called "comfort woman". It is widely known that many of them were in fact already prostitutes who were recruited by Korean agents. In my opinion, these agents are the real criminals in this matter. Also I totally agree with the comments made by Andrew Smith above. I could have written his comments word for word. Where do you draw the line? Do we really want to drag all wars throughout history by erecting such statues for every perceived injustice? My comment to you is to GET OVER IT. We cannot change history nor should we try. Why do China and Korea continue to belittle Japan and cause such trouble all over the world. I would remind them: the war ended in1945. Many countries were affected during the war and are not making such ridiculous claims.

Jan Ruff O'Herne an Australian, of Dutch parentage, was born in the Dutch East Indies. O'Herne, when the Japanese occupied the Dutch East Indies, was interned.
On 26 February, 1944 O'Herne was forcibly removed from the Camp and taken to what was essentially a brothel.
OHerne was repeatedly raped and beaten.
This is a fact.
Thousand of women were taken from across the Japanes occupied countries which include Korea, China, Philippines, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia.
It is estimated that the number of "Comfort Women" is in the vicinity of 200,000.
Most of the "Comfort Women" died. Of those that survived the women were left infertile, had sexual transmitted diseases, suffered sexual trauma.
At the end of the war the "Comfort Women were left penniless and could not return home. The "Comfort Women" were too ashamed to talk about what happened for many years.
Strathfield Council Passed a Motion in the March 2009 to:
(a) Acknowledges the suffering of the so called “Comfort Women” and the importance of restoring their human rights and dignity in marking International Women’s Day on 8 March 2009;
(b) Joins the world community and Japanese councillors from City of Takarazuka, City of Kiyose and City of Sapporo in urging the Japanese government to:
(i) Formally and Unequivocally apologise to the victims.
(ii) Take legal responsibility according to international law,
(iii)Take historical responsibility by correct teaching of history.
(c) Calls on the Commonwealth Government to promptly pass a motion in parliament to the effect of (b) (i), (ii) and (iii).
(d) Conveys recognition and support to Australian “Comfort Women” survivor Jan Ruff O’Herne in celebration of International Women’s Day 2009.
A Statue in the meantime will at least fill a void until the above in relation to the Japanese government occurs.
It is like the saying of "Sorry" to the Aboriginals.
It is about trying to help ease the pain and suffering of the surviving "Comfort Women".

by Anonymous (not verified) | Thu, 03/04/2014 - 13:06

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by Anonymous (not verified) | Thu, 03/04/2014 - 11:16

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There is an unwritten rule when migrating to Australia and that is to leave any grievances with other nations at the door.

I was at the meeting last night..and one interesting comment came to me from a local Aboriginal who was highly offended that such a statue involving foreign governments should be erected in Strathfield when there are not even any statues commemorating the stolen generation. Another local said maybe they could erect the statue at Rookwood cemetery which would fit with councillor Song Ok's request that it could be put anywhere.
I'd also like to know where we could erect all the following statues also and am concerned Strathfield doesn't have enough parks for the following ;

1. Statue for the estimated 200,000 Vietnamese women and children raped by South Korean soldiers in the Vietnam war and the 30,000 Lai Dai Han ( children of mixed blood ) left behind.

2. Statue for the millions of Tibetans and Uighurs who have been slaughtered by the Chinese..which is still continuing today.

3. Statue for the estimated 40,000 Indonesians slaughtered under the Dutch occupation.

4. Statue for the Indian community remembering their great losses under the British colonization.

5. Statue for the Timorese killed and persecuted under the Indonesians quietly sanctioned by the Australian Government.

6.Statue for the West Papuans who continue to be killed and persecuted under the Indonesians to this day,quietly sanctioned by the Australian Government.

7. Statue for North American Indians slaughtered by invading white settlers.

8. Statue for African Americans..still suffering to this day

and these are only a handful of the horrid atrocities that have occurred in the past 100 years,,imagine if we look back a further 100years or more...

Trust I've made my point, and unless you are going to change Strathfield's name to " Statuedom " then no statues concerning any foreign occurrences should ever be erected..but we dearly do owe one..more like 1 million statues to the great original custodians of our land, the aboriginals who suffered at the hands of the white people.

by Koku Zoushi (not verified) | Wed, 02/04/2014 - 23:32

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by Anonymous (not verified) | Wed, 02/04/2014 - 21:50

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Do you think why this issue happened ?

Here is an interesting study published by Stanford University, which compares school textbooks in several Asian countries and the United States.
It sees with this study that, contrary to what many gens＊ believe, Japanese textbooks are more neutral, mainly tell the facts, then in other countries (China and Korea for example), a part of the story is changed or omitted for the patriotic interests.

Unfortunately, these practices will not help countries to understand better.

First, here are the links that summarize this study :

Divided Memories: History Textbooks and the Wars in Asia
http://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/a00703/

gens：les ＊beaucoup visits to Yasukuni, the differences between China and Japan on Nanjing, comfort women and the image of a very nationalist Japanese Government presented by foreign newspapers convey this impression.

I am dismayed that the Strathfield council is even considering this. If they so strongly believe a commemorative statue should be erected for these women, then put one in Korea and in China, do not use Australia for such political means. This just encourages hate and disruption in the community. As deputy mayor Sang Ok has already stated, "the local Korean and Chinese communities wanted to send a message to Japan"!!! That is the real reason, it is an anti-Japan statue! How can this be allowed to go ahead. Who pays for it should not be a consideration, or maybe it is, for the ICAC

Please read Japanese Prisoner of War Interrogation Report No.49 in 1944 by US Army where Korean comfort women were reported as simple prostitutes, not as sex slaves (it’s quite indisputable)

I believe this is an evidence by the third party that they are not slaves. Koreans insisted that 200,000 young women were abducted and forcefully taken by Japanse armies but there are no concrete evidence.

Hatred create hatred. We need to move on. It is not for a mature society or Australian way to bring up the past over and over again, and accuse specific nation and its people. Japan hasn't involved in war or invaded other countries after the WWII, and I don't see any positive outcome from this hate campaign.

We need to make effort to accept each other and live harmoniouslly.

If Chinese are taling about human right, they need to look at what their own government is doing in Tibet and Shinjang Uyghur now in 21st century. Koreans need to solve their own problems - threat from North Korea.

The movement is simply not for women's right, but just a propaganda.

I sincerelly hope City of Stratford will make a wise desicion. I belive Council's job is to promote well-being of the locals not to involve in the international matters.

I protest the plan for the following reasons.

1. It is illegal under NSW anti-discrimination law to vilify someone. The law defines vilification as a public act that could incite or encourage hatred, serious　contempt or severe ridicule towards people because of national origin. The proposed statue is contentious and divisive. It is a public act because statue will be highly visible with an explicit message, and it will ALMOST DEFINITELY encourage hatred and contempt towards the Japanese.

2. The proposed statue is based on Korea’s historical grievances against Japan dating back to WWII, and has little or no relevance to Australia　（ It is similar to the one in Seoul, Korea which has become a focal point and symbol of hatred towards Japan. The second statue appeared in Glendale CA, USA and has caused much controversy because it was built in an ethnically diverse community in the US. The statue is has had a negative impact, such as Japanese schoolkids being bullied. Strathfield should not follow the same path.

3. The Comfoft Women issue is a one-sided and anachronistic claim representing only the Korean view and attempts to portray the Japanese as a brutal, inhuman race.

4. If a statue is set up it would send the wrong message to Australia- that it is acceptable for one immigrant community to accuse and marginalise another, citing historical grievances from their country of origin. It would also run contrary to the
ideals which Australian society (or any civilised society) stands for, as it is hardly “Fair Go for All.”