Japan compensation

      

      The four-day state visit of Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to the Philippines for the overseas peace tour served more than it's obvious purpose to strengthen ties as a former World War II adversary. It then prompted talks by rights advocates to meet women who then were used as comfort women (sex slaves) during World War II.

The diplomatic relations between Manila and Tokyo brought attention to the issues of sex slavery by Japanese soldiers during the war. Last December, Japan made a deal with South Korea offering a staggering amout of $8.7m to compensate for the war-time sex slavery. However, for the Philippines, it is not the same case. Leaving the "comfort women" still seeking justice after 70 years yet nothing has come to their efforts so far. Survivors now in their 80s demand for an official apology and just compensation from the Japanese government as well as the inclusion of their stories in official historical records. But, the case was rejected on 1998 in a Tokyo Court, saying that the 1907 Hauge Convention on war only honors state-to-state and not individual compensation. Also, judge says that the 20-year statute of limitation on making claims had lapsed and that Japan had already compensated the Philippine government under the 1951 San Franciso Peace Treaty.

Victims and critics say that the Philippine government is to blame acusing President Benigno Aquino of being beholden to Tokyo since Japan is a top source foreign aid and investment in the Philippines with nearly $20bn worth in trade also, that it had something to do with building a strong alliance in light of the Chinese threat. But will this issue continue on being unresolved? The survivors are barely capable of continuing the fight. Rights advocates argues that in this case, it might be repeated again urging that there would be instances of the like when military intervention comes to the country again as per Edca and other negotiations from foreign allies. Where does the annual compensation from Japan go to rather than offering what is just to almost a few of the survivors left. This is uncertain, but, if not put to rest. In the foreseeable future, a new generation of comfort women might come to rise and the survivors wouldn't be given what is due.