Comfort women dance for justice at Japanese embassy

MANILA, Philippines - Comfort women from Lila Pilipina, an organization advocating for justice for World War II Japanese sex slaves, recently participated in a dance-protest in front of the Japanese embassy as part of the “One Billion Rising for Justice” Philippines.

Ritchelda Extremadura, executive director of Lila Pilipina, said yesterday that 22 years “since the first victim of Japanese war sex slavery came out, the lolas have yet to achieve justice. Thus, we need to maximize every opportunity to push the Japanese government to recognize, acknowledge and admit accountability over these atrocities against Filipino women.”

She warned that with Japan’s refusal to “recognize the systematic war sex slavery, there is no assurance that it will not happen again.”

The danger is very real since the US, a strong ally of Japan, has declared support for Japan against China, Extremadura said. “The US has been warmongering in the Asia Pacific especially with the Asia Pacific Pivot policy. We fear for a next generation of comfort women,” she added.