Eka Hindrati is an Indonesian researcher who is persistently engaging in various activities towards resolving the 'comfort women' issues despite many challenges. Through a written interview, we asked her about the progress of studies and investigations on 'Japanese military sexual slavery' in Indonesia, and about what efforts are needed in order for South Korea and Indonesia to unite through the shared past.
Eka Hindrati
Written by Shin Ki-young, Professor at Ochanomizu University, Japan
Shin Ki-young
Kwon Myung-ah/Kim Heonju/So Hyun-suk/Yeo Sun-ju/Yoon Myung-sook/Lee Seon-i /Lim Hyung-wha/Jo Gyeonghee/Jeong Yongsuk/Heo Yun
Editorial Team of Webzine <Kyeol>
Marking the 20th anniversary of the ‘Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery in 2000’
Yang Mi-gang
Written by Son Hee-jung, Yonsei University Institute of Gender Studies
Son Hee-jung
The Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on the Trial of Japan's Military Sexual Slavery in 2000 (hereinafter the ‘Women's International War Crimes Tribunal 2000’), which was hosted in Tokyo, Japan from December 8 to 12, 2000, was a people’s tribunal[1] that held the Japanese government – the perpetrating state - and Emperor Hirohito responsible for war crimes. It was viewed as the most appropriate alternative plan devised at a time when it was no longer feasible to hold a legally effective international court with any cooperation from the Japanese government.
Sim A-jeong
How can we remember the issue of Japanese military “comfort women”? Talking about an issue involves the processes of embracing it as one's own, facing it, and contemplating on it. In December 2019, a compilation album [Tell the Story - The Third Compilation of Songs] commemorating the Japanese military “comfort women” victims was released with the participation of about 30 musicians.
Earkey Project (The <Tell the Story> Project)
Hwang Byoung-joo The author's interest lies in the modern transformation of Korea and he conducts relevant studies. He is currently involved in the project related to the war crimes of the Japanese military against ‘comfort women’ at the National Institute of Korean History.
Byeongju Hwang
Written by Jeong Yeong-hwan, Professor at Meiji Gakuin University, and Pak Noja, Professor at the University of Oslo
Jeong Yeong-hwan
The right-wingers in Japan deny any direct involvement of the Japanese government, citing that the documents proving that the Japanese Army or Japanese government had directly ordered the establishment of the “comfort stations” have never been found. They also claim that neither the Japanese army nor the Japanese government were involved in mobilizing “comfort women”, and that private businesses simply recruited “comfort women” by illegal means. Having accepted these claims, the Abe administration is contradicting what the previous Japanese government had admitted.
Choi Jong-gil