Japanese Politician: Comfort Women "Necessary"

[Meow Mix]

Looks like this guy is looking to make himself Japan's great embarrasor.

Toru Hashimoto, mayor of Osaka, has argued that the use of women in conquered territories as forced sex slaves was "necessary" for the morale of Japanese troops -- though he suggests that Japan should "offer kind words to [former] comfort women." How sweet. More seriously, is this guy serious?

He has also apparently said in the last year that Japan "needs a dictatorship."

Is anyone more familiar with Japanese politics? Is this guy part of a new trend, or does he stand alone in his bat****tery?

 

[Me Myself]

People be crazy.

Then again, thats around the least reasons why war sucks.

 

[Father Heathen]

Japan does have far-right nationalists, but I don't know if their views could be considered mainstream.

 

[Me Myself]

. Hopefully that is not mainstream

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Looks like this guy is looking to make himself Japan's great embarrasor.

Toru Hashimoto, mayor of Osaka, has argued that the use of women in conquered territories as forced sex slaves was "necessary" for the morale of Japanese troops -- though he suggests that Japan should "offer kind words to [former] comfort women." How sweet. More seriously, is this guy serious?

He has also apparently said in the last year that Japan "needs a dictatorship."

Is anyone more familiar with Japanese politics? Is this guy part of a new trend, or does he stand alone in his bat****tery?

What....

The....

(_____)....!!!!!!

 

[Revoltingest]

Toru Hashimoto, mayor of Osaka, has argued that the use of women in conquered territories as forced sex slaves was "necessary" for the morale of Japanese troops -- though he suggests that Japan should "offer kind words to [former] comfort women." How sweet. More seriously, is this guy serious?

From the perspective of a country which tried to defeat the US in war, it seems reasonable to say that Japanese antics in conquered territories was necessary, eg, cannibalism, sexual abuse, murder, slavery. But from the perspective of an American, it was entirely unnecessary.....wrong even.

 

[Alceste]

Japanese culture is pretty misogynistic.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

The only part of that I could agree with was that Japan needs a dictatorship. Sooner they put me in charge, the better.

 

[Father Heathen]

Japanese culture is pretty misogynistic.

With creepy pedo overtones.

 

[Revoltingest]

With creepy pedo overtones.

Sure, I find some aspects of their culture horrible.
But it has its positive sides, eg, art, craftsmanship, Kato Masao, preservation of history.
I think of shibumi.

 

[Alceste]

With creepy pedo overtones.

Yeah. They tend to infantilize women and then use them as sex objects, which is an icky combo.

 

[Riverwolf]

I love Japan. I don't love their views towards women.

But this guy goes even farther than I understand most men view women over there. I get the sense that women are more or less regarded as delicate treasures that need protection. Calling rape victims "comforters" is just... evil.

 

[Flankerl]

Is anyone more familiar with Japanese politics? Is this guy part of a new trend, or does he stand alone in his bat****tery?

Its not a new trend nor does he stand alone.

All the evil stuff the japanese soldiers did in WW2 were never a topic in Japan. In school there is no rape of Nanking. Nor is Unit 731 or any other warcrime. Its the same for the whole society.


Iam surprised people are surprised by this.

 

[LuisDantas]

the use of women in conquered territories as forced sex slaves was "necessary" for the morale of Japanese troops

Yet another good example of how keeping the morale of war troops is a bad thing.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Yet another good example of how keeping the morale of war troops is a bad thing.

Well...I'm sure you were posting in part jest, but...
Keeping the morale of war troops is a good thing. Performing war crimes is a bad thing. They don't have to be the same thing.

 

[LuisDantas]

I stand unconvinced, sorry.

 

[esmith]

I stand unconvinced, sorry.

But isn't your belief on this issue based on you overall bias against the use of the military and/or the military in general?

 

[Falvlun]

Sure, I find some aspects of their culture horrible.
But it has its positive sides, eg, art, craftsmanship, Kato Masao, preservation of history.
I think of shibumi.

And don't forget the food! :drool:

 

[LuisDantas]

But isn't your belief on this issue based on you overall bias against the use of the military and/or the military in general?

Of course. Why call it "bias", though?

 

[Alceste]

But isn't your belief on this issue based on you overall bias against the use of the military and/or the military in general?

Is there a military force occupying somewhere in the world that doesn't rape the locals?