Eight decades after World War II, survivors and historians are still demanding accountability for Japan’s wartime atrocities across Asia. New testimonies and research shed light on the horrifying scale of exploitation – from sexual slavery to lethal labor camps – that fueled imperial expansion. 🕯️
The “Comfort Women” System: A Legacy of Pain
Over 400,000 women across Asia, including 200,000+ from the Chinese mainland, were forced into military brothels. Survivors like 98-year-old Lee Yong-soo (quoted in 2025) stress: “We’re not just numbers. We lived through hell.” Many passed away without seeing formal apologies or reparations.
Forced Labor: Building Empires on Bones
Japan’s war machine enslaved millions – Allied POWs and Asian civilians alike. The Burma-Siam Railway alone claimed 100,000+ lives through starvation and torture. “They called us tools, not humans,” recalls Filipino survivor Carlos Lopez, now 102.
Why 2025 Matters: The Race Against Time
With most survivors in their 90s or older, activists argue this decade is critical for preserving evidence and securing justice. 📜 South Korean and Chinese advocacy groups recently launched a global digital archive project to immortalize testimonies through VR technology.
As geopolitical tensions rise in Asia, historians warn: “Understanding this past isn’t about blame – it’s about preventing future horrors.” 🌐
