Cold comfort: wartime sex slaves offered meager redress

Article Abstract:

Supporters of women enslaved for sex by the Japanese army during WWII have rebuffed a govt proposal for expressing remorse and arranging compensation. Historians say the army enslaved 80,000 to 200,000 'comfort women,' but the govt only estimates 1,000 women worldwide are still alive to receive compensation. That would come in the form of a personal letter of apology, widespread medical and welfare projects, and an official foundation to raise private donations. Critics call for a direct govt payment of up to 20 million yen to each woman.

War crimes

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Feline fetish

Article Abstract:

Japanese firm Sanrio has discovered a new market for its products bearing the Hello Kitty name and cat logo. Sanrio has sold Hello Kitty brand goods since 1975 and reached 47 countries, but, before 1997, it targeted only the children's market. The company then discovered that Hello Kitty goods had become fashionable in the adult market. Sanrio now sells 3,000 Hello Kitty brand products including mobile phone cases, pens and handbags, and it has revised its forecast for 1997 to a 2.8 billion yen profit, rather than a 340 million yen loss.

Marketing, Children's paraphernalia, Sanrio Company Ltd.

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Not bought off: former sex slaves want compensation, not charity

Article Abstract:

Former sex slaves of Japan's World War Two military say they want official government compensation rather than money from a private charity, while conservative Japanese politicians oppose any concessions to the women. Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto formerly led a group that rejects the women's claims, but recently gave in to heavy pressure and agreed to write letters to each of the women now identified as a victim. The fund to compensate the women has raised only 410 million of the minimum 600 million yen needed.

South Korea, Japanese foreign relations, World War II, 1939-1945, South Korean foreign relations

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