THE COMFORT WOMAN STORY AND THE PACIFIC WAR NARRATIVE
The Ethical Challenge of a Micro-Narrative
Keywords:
Woman, EthicsAbstract
During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army adopted various strategies for its conduct of War in the Asia-Pacific Region. One of those strategies required the maintenance of a military barrack’s ianjo (comfort station or military brothel) for the following reasons: First, it was a means to reduce the rape of civilians by members of the Japanese armed forces… Second, military leaders believed that it was important to gratify their men’s carnal desires… Third, militarycontrolled prostitution was regarded as an effective preventive measure against venereal disease… Finally, the tight control of brothels by the military authorities was believed to be necessary for security reasons.
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