They are the Filipinas who were raped repeatedly by Japanese soldiers, members of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. They are euphemistically called comfort women as they were forced into sexual slavery during the war.
Every time I talked to them, I often had a difficult time listening to their painful stories. But as a journalist, I just could not ignore such stories, no matter how painful they may be. It is my responsibility because I am privileged to be born at the time when they are still able to tell their stories. It is an honour to bear witness to their stories. I fervently hope that they would finally be given the apology and compensation they very much deserve.
