"Ignorance of Japanese Crimes" vs "We Should Debate, Not Blame" 'Comfort Women Thesis' Controversy Spreads Widely

Controversy at Home and Abroad Over Ramseyer, Harvard Professor's Paper
"Justification of Sexual Exploitation System" vs "Academic Attacks Are Unproductive"
Japanese Media Hopes Ramseyer's Paper Will Help Restore Japan's Image

John Mark Ramseyer, Harvard Law School Professor (right) / Photo by Harvard Law School 공개 동영상 캡쳐

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Professor John Mark Ramseyer of Harvard University in the U.S. has published a paper that defines the victims of the Japanese military's comfort women system as prostitutes, sparking growing controversy. While some call for the withdrawal of the publication, arguing that the paper "could justify the system of sexual slavery and sexual exploitation," others have voiced support on the grounds of respecting academic freedom.

Professor Ramseyer's paper is scheduled to be published in the March issue of the International Review of Law and Economics. In this paper, Professor Ramseyer argues that the Japanese military comfort women system was closer to a voluntary extension of prostitution without coercion.

This content has drawn criticism both domestically and internationally. It is pointed out that it not only contradicts historical truth but can also be interpreted as justifying Japanese imperialism.

Earlier, the cyber diplomatic mission 'VANK' sent a protest email to Harvard University, where Ramseyer is affiliated, on the 17th. Regarding this, Park Gitae, head of VANK, said, "Hiding behind academic freedom, the scholar has failed to fulfill his conscience and duty," and added, "I feel a mission to make American society aware of the atrocities and historical distortions of Japanese imperialism as much as Nazi war crimes."

The cyber diplomatic mission VANK sent a protest email to Harvard Law School professor Mark Ramseyer, who is scheduled to publish a paper containing claims that "comfort women were prostitutes." / Photo by VANK

He continued, "This shows that the West is still ignorant about the sexual ethics and slave crimes of Japanese imperialism," and questioned, "Can we say that the Nazis contributed to world peace or that the black slave system contributed to the development of the United States?"

Voices of criticism also emerged in academia. The Justice and Memory Foundation released a 'Global Feminist Statement on Professor John Mark Ramseyer's Paper on Japanese Military Comfort Women' at the regular Wednesday demonstration held that day.

The statement, signed by researchers and organizations from the U.S., the Philippines, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, and other countries, criticized, "Professor Ramseyer's claims uncritically echo the Japanese government's arguments that evade responsibility for serious human rights violations committed during the Asia-Pacific War," and added, "Such claims can be used to justify violence against women and the system of sexual slavery and sexual exploitation."

On the other hand, some voices defended the publication of Ramseyer's paper, emphasizing respect for academic freedom. Associate Professors Jo Phillips of Yonsei University's Underwood International College and Joseph Lee of Hanyang University's Department of Political Science and International Relations wrote in an article published on the 18th in the U.S. diplomatic media outlet The Diplomat, "We are scholars based in Korea," and urged, "Do not condemn Professor Ramseyer's recent paper but engage in discussion."

They further pointed out, "Attacking Ramseyer's academic integrity due to personal connections with Japan is unproductive and xenophobic," and noted, "In Korea, research and debate related to comfort women have been restricted, fostering collective thinking within political and social spheres."

The Statue of Peace installed in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul / Photo by Yonhap News

Professor Park Yooha of Sejong University, who previously published the book Imperial Comfort Women, which argued that comfort women were 'voluntary prostitutes,' also commented on Ramseyer's paper, saying, "It is not simply a reckless remark or something to be dismissed because he is a professor of a war crime company," and claimed, "Ramseyer's argument may not be significantly wrong in terms of historical details."

As controversy over Ramseyer's paper grows both domestically and internationally, some Japanese media have expressed expectations that the paper could greatly contribute to improving Japan's international image.

Earlier, on the 28th of last month, the Japanese media outlet Nikkei Newspaper released a summary of Ramseyer's paper, evaluating it as "revealing that comfort women were not sexual slaves" and stating, "The research significance is great."

It also reported, "The false image that the Japanese military enslaved Korean women as sexual slaves is spreading worldwide," and added, "We hope this paper can restore that image."