Non-Western Colonization, Orientalism, and the Comfort Women: The Collective Memory of Sexual Slavery under the Japanese Imperial Military

The book examines the collective memory of sexual slavery under the Japanese Imperial Military in Japan over the past seventy-five years, focusing on the comfort women, tens of thousands of young females forced into sexual servitude for Japanese soldiers during the Asia-Pacific War. It argues that Korean comfort women have been exoticized in the collective memory similarly to Oriental women's presentations by Western Orientalists and provides novel insights into a decade-old international and domestic controversy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Non-Western Colonization, Orientalism, and the Comfort Women: The Collective Memory of Sexual Slavery under the Japanese Imperial Military is a comprehensive examination of the collective memory of sexual slavery under the Japanese Imperial Military in Japan over the past seventy-five years. Euphemistically known as comfort women, tens of thousands of young females were forced into sexual servitude for Japanese soldiers during the Asia-Pacific War. The majority of these women are believed to have been deceitfully or forcibly taken from Korea, a former Japanese colony. The ways in which sexual slavery has been remembered in Japan have been a source of long-standing diplomatic conflict between Japan and South Korea and have fueled a memory war among Japanese scholars and activists. The author argues that Korean comfort women have been exoticized in the collective memory similarly to Oriental women's presentations by Western Orientalists. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the memory of sexual slavery in Japan, examining various artifacts produced since the end of the Asia-Pacific War, including nonfiction books, novels, newspaper articles, popular and documentary films, and a commemorative museum. It offers novel insights into a decade-old international and domestic controversy.

The book begins by tracing the history of sexual slavery in Japan during the Asia-Pacific War. It highlights the role of the Japanese military in recruiting and managing comfort women, as well as the various methods used to coerce and control them. The author also discusses the impact of sexual slavery on the women involved, including physical and psychological trauma, as well as the long-term effects on their families and communities.

One of the key themes of the book is the way in which sexual slavery has been remembered in Japan. The author argues that the collective memory of sexual slavery has been shaped by a combination of factors, including the Japanese government's efforts to downplay the issue, the media's portrayal of comfort women as prostitutes, and the lack of official recognition of the women's experiences. This has led to a sense of shame and stigma among the women and their families, and has made it difficult for them to seek justice and recognition.

The book also examines the ways in which sexual slavery has been represented in popular culture. It highlights the use of comfort women in films, television shows, and video games, as well as the impact of these representations on public perception. The author argues that these representations have often perpetuated harmful stereotypes and have contributed to the ongoing memory war between Japan and South Korea.

In addition to its historical and cultural analysis, the book also offers a critical perspective on the role of Western Orientalism in shaping the collective memory of sexual slavery. The author argues that Western Orientalists have often portrayed Asian women as exotic and submissive, and have used this portrayal to justify colonialism and imperialism. This has led to a sense of inferiority among Asian women and has contributed to the ongoing struggle for gender equality and human rights.

The book concludes by offering a series of recommendations for addressing the legacy of sexual slavery in Japan. The author suggests that the Japanese government should officially recognize the women's experiences and provide them with compensation and support. The author also calls for the media to portray comfort women as human beings rather than prostitutes, and for the public to be more aware of the issue.

Overall, Non-Western Colonization, Orientalism, and the Comfort Women: The Collective Memory of Sexual Slavery under the Japanese Imperial Military is a powerful and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the history of sexual slavery in Japan and its impact on the women involved. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the collective memory of sexual slavery and provides a critical perspective on the role of Western Orientalism in shaping this memory. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Japan, the Asia-Pacific War, and the ongoing struggle for gender equality and human rights.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498598392