ABSTRACT
Starting with the New York Times (NYT) editorial, this chapter focuses on the current state of the “comfort women” movement, as a case to discuss the connection between memory politics and historical justice movements where activism and rhetoric can play a critical role. The Government of the Republic of Korea makes a similar announcement—confirming the Japanese announcement, by and large. The chapter looks at the Government of Japan (GOJ) statement first: obviously, the key phrase is “from this perspective”—what we rhetoricians may call “qualifiers.” In other words, the GOJ apologizes, within a specific boundary and responsibility, for the involvement of the Japanese military in “comfort women” practices. While the NYT editorial accuses the Korean “activists” installing of the new “comfort woman” statue in Busan of making “the Japanese” rightfully feel livid. Without support from any responsible governments, the women’s struggles and fights continue—a hope amidst despair.
