Taiwan women's group demands Japanese gov't apology to 'comfort women'

People hold a rally in Taipei on August 15, 2016, urging the Japanese government to apologize for the "comfort women".[Photo: Sina Weibo/jrhx]

TAIPEI - The Taipei Women's Rescue Foundation led a rally on Monday urging the Japanese government to apologize for the Taiwanese women who were forced into sex slavery during World War II.

Monday marked the 71st anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in WWII.

Seventy-one years have passed and they have not received any apology from the Japanese government, not to mention compensation, local lawmaker Wang Yu-min said when delivering a speech at the event.

Wang called on the island's current administration to listen to local people's appeals on the "comfort women" issue and take action to reveal the historical truth.

Around 2,000 Taiwanese women were forced into sex slavery during WWII, according to the foundation. It has identified 58 of them, but only three are still alive.

Kang Shu-hua, executive director of the foundation, said the three women were not present at the rally due to old age.

"However, righteousness should not be compromised and the truth about 'comfort women' must be sought to bring dignity to the victims," she said.

About 100 people participated in the gathering outside the Taipei Office of Japan's Interchange Association, according to organizers, who added the event was part of a global action on Monday to seek justice for the women.