An advocacy group representing Filipino victims of wartime sexual slavery by Japanese soldiers will renew its decades-old demand for a formal state apology and reparations as Japan’s foreign minister visits the Philippines this week.
The group, Lila Pilipina (League of Filipino Grandmothers), said it plans to press its appeal during the visit of Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who is set to arrive on Thursday.
“We demand a formal public apology and reparation based on the apology,” said Sharon Cabusao-Silva, a spokeswoman for the group.
However, analysts say Japan’s long-held position makes new reparations unlikely.
A former Filipino victim of wartime sexual slavery by Japanese troops holds a placard during a protest in 2007 outside the Japanese embassy in Manila. Photo: EPA
Tokyo maintains that all wartime claims were settled through post-war treaties, including the Philippines-Japan Reparations Agreement of 1956, and that Manila has waived all further claims on behalf of its citizens.
AloJapan.com