Hawai`i PAAM News & News Links

Japanese church leader hails U.S. resolution on WWII-era 'comfort women'

Written by Ecumenical News International
August 7, 2007

The head of the National Christian Council in Japan has welcomed a U.S. House of Representatives resolution that demands Tokyo's formal apology for a system of sexual slavery that existed during the Second World War, and whose victims were euphemistically called "comfort women."

The Rev. Toshimasa Yamamoto, general secretary of the Japanese Christian council, told Ecumenical News International he welcomed the U.S. lawmakers'
resolution, and that, "The Japanese government should recognize its responsibility and make an official apology."

The resolution was unanimously adopted on July 31. It states that, "The government of Japan should formally acknowledge, apologize and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner."

Mike Honda, a Japanese-American representing the Democratic Party, in what is the lower house of the U.S. Congress, introduced the resolution, and later he described its passage as a beginning. "It is sending a strong signal to Japan's political community," he said.

Yamamoto, who is a United Methodist pastor, commented, "The resolution is part of what Christians in Korea and Japan have sought for so far." He added, "The NCCJ, primarily through its women's committee, will continue to address the issue of 'comfort women' in collaboration with Christians in Korea and citizens' groups."

On July 31, three citizens' groups in Japan, including Violence Against Women in War - Network Japan, co-led by Rutsuko Shoji, a member of the United Church of Christ in Japan, published a proposal that also called for the Japanese government to apologise to the victims of sexual slavery. The groups said the apology should be made in "an official and formal manner", and that the government should implement measures to show the world the apology was genuine.

The statement was approved by 32 groups in Japan, of whom six were Christian and it included the NCCJ women's committee, the Japan Catholic Council for
Justice and Peace, and the Japan Christian Women's Organization.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe enraged many Asians in March when he asserted that there was "no proof" that women had been forced to work as sex
slaves to the Japanese Imperial Army during the war. Christian groups from Japan and other parts of the world protested about the comments.
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Micronesian

   Monthly meetings have been and continue to be held by Hawaii-PAAM with Micronesian Church Leaders. A list of Micronesian Church Leaders has been compiled which lists seventy-eight (78) leaders. These are leaders from not only UCC-related churches but include Roman Catholic, Mormon, Assembly of God, Pentecostal, Congregational and Baptist. The leaders come from the Marshall Islands, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Chuuk.
     Various issues have emerged from these monthly meetings. The major issue has been the exploitation of Micronesian long-line tuna fishermen.  Fishermen have been recruited by an agency in Pohnpei which have signed these fishermen to very restrictive contracts that pay a maximum of $100 a month for the first five months. In addition, the boat owners have held the passports of these fishermen and have implemented punitive measures for those breaking the contracts.  H-PAAM held a press conference on June 2, 2006 at Kewalo Basin (where most of these fishing boats are homeported) together with Micronesian Church leaders and fishermen.  The press conference resulted in immediately raising the salary to $400 per month and the return of passports.  Discussions have been held with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Consulate and letters have been sent to the Governors of Kosrae, Pohnpei and Chuuk to get both the State Governments and the FSM Government to become more involved in the recruitment, preparation and policing of this contracting system to eliminate the worst exploitation.  The Kosraean Government has responded positively.  Contact has been made with the Attorney General of the FSM Government.  H-PAAM will pursue this matter to result in a win-win situation of fair pay for this work. (click here for Honolulu Advertiser article)
      A series of other issues related to exploiting Micronesian people have arisen:
  • Used car dealership have sold cars in poor condition without the buyers adequately understanding the “as is” clause. The vast majority of cars break down in a relatively short time period.  One written affidavit has identified that one company alone has sold at least three hundred cars to Micronesians that fall in this category.
  • The latest issue organized by Elma Coleman has been racist statements made to the press by the lawyer for a soccer coach charged with molesting Marshallese young boys.  Among the statement made to TV news is that incest is commonly practiced in Marshallese society. Angery Marshallese church members have demanded a public apology by the lawyer An apology is still pending as is action by the disciplinary committee of Hawaii Bar Association.
Houselessness

   H-PAAM staff has trained Micronesians United members on Oahu on “How to Organize.”  Part of this training has been Bible Study training related to organizing. Julia Estrella has been working with the Houseless community assisted by H-PAAM to take action to raise awareness of their needs to the wider community and to work to obtain land for them to live. H-PAAM members  have been working closely with two organizations: Micronesians United on Oahu (MI) and Micronesians United - Big Island (MU-BI). These two organizations have held strategic planning sessions, MI on Oahu has already obtained its 501c3 not-for-profit federal status and has projects to help empower its members
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