Mike Honda's comfort woman resolution passes

Mike Honda's comfort woman resolution passes
The person who played the biggest role in the passage of the “comfort women” resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives is Mike Honda, a third-generation Japanese American. In January, Honda submitted a proposal for the resolution, which calls on the Japanese government to acknowledge and formally apologize for the forced mobilization of women to serve as sex slaves to Japanese soldiers during World War II. At that time, he was bombarded by criticism from Japanese people who accused him of trying to shame Japan on U.S. soil.

A moderator of one Japanese TV program questioned how he could have done such a thing considering his Japanese lineage. But Honda was unfazed, replying that an apology and reconciliation by Tokyo would not diminish its stature. It would actually strengthen relations with Korea and China, should they be satisfied with Japan’s efforts.

Honda spent 14 months in an internment camp for Japanese Americans during World War II. Following a Senate resolution in 1988, then U.S. President Ronald Reagan made a public apology for their internment. Honda said true reconciliation can only happen after repentance. He added that the passage of the resolution was not an end but a beginning. Honda is teaching the people of his ancestral home that the atrocities involving sex slaves cannot be resolved unless Japan accepts its responsibility. Congressman Mike Honda of California served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador in the 1960's.  Read more.

Read more about Congressman Mike Honda.

Read more about RPCVs and Human Rights.

Read more and Peace Corps El Salvador.