Premier Lin Chuan has apologized for what he called “thoughtless” remarks on the subject of so-called wartime “comfort women.”
The term refers to the many thousands of women forced to work in Japanese military brothels in parts of Asia occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.
Lin had said that many women worked as “comfort women” during the war and that it seemed to him likely that at least some of them did so voluntarily. The remarks seemed to mirror the attitude of some right-wing politicians in Japan who downplay their country’s war crimes.
When challenged by opposition lawmaker Wang Yu-min, the premier admitted he had spoken without thought.
Lin said, “I say willingly that what I said was lacking in consideration and thoughtfulness. I understood this as soon as I had said it, and I am willing to apologize [for my remarks].”
The small number of surviving “comfort women” in Taiwan has continued to demand an official apology from the Japanese government. The premier said it was his government’s responsibility to seek an apology and compensation from the Japanese side.