Comments on: Hashimoto’s Remarks

By: Isegoria

Isegoria — Mon, 27 May 2013 14:23:41 +0000

I don’t think anyone’s arguing that the Japanese were pleasant, well-meaning occupiers.

By: J

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:44:01 +0000

He presents not a bit of evidence.

Ask any old Dutch settler in Indonesia about the Japanese occupation.

By: Isegoria

Isegoria — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:39:53 +0000

I believe that Hashimoto’s contention is that the “comfort women” weren’t random Korean women forced into sex-slavery, but rather that they were Korean prostitutes organized into brothels meant to serve the army. And that has been standard practice throughout history.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:05:07 +0000

Nice. I especially like the way he conflates Japan’s behavior with the normal sexual urges of all young men. Presumably the Japanese soldiers just got a bit carried away. Chalk it up to high spirits. I wonder what behavior he can link to the Japanese habit of using civilians for bayonet practice.

This “everybody was doing it, more or less” is a bit more sophisticated than the old “just following orders” defense. It also resembles the favorite charge of good progressives, which is hypocrisy.

Apparently the Japanese are still working up to coming to terms with the legacy of the East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Still, I wonder how long it took us to recognize the ramifications of our Indian policies.