Contextual Analysis

The article ‘Why These World War II Sex Slaves Are Still Demanding Justice’ was
published last December 4, 2020, written by Julie McCarthy on Antipolo, Rizal. It is all about
the last survivors of a system of sexual servitude set up by the Japanese imperial troops during
World War II. They used harassment, abduction, and deception to force and influence women
and girls to provide sexual pleasure to military personnel. Researchers cited in court cases say
that large numbers of them did not survive and that they were called “comfort women”. For
decades, the survivors of the "comfort women" system kept silent. They’re in pain, hidden in
shame, and were tucked away from the outside world. But by the early 1990s, details of the
incident began to emerge in a series of lawsuits against Japan. Survivors wanted Japan to offer a
public apology and financial compensation for all the suffering and horror they went through.
Over 18 months, National Public Radio (NPR) identified and conducted interviews with at least
two dozen survivors across the Philippines. There are instances where family members shared
stories told to them by the women who were too infirm to talk.

The author, Julie McCarthy an International Correspondent, is from Southeast Asia. Julie
McCarthy, a degree holder in literature and history, is a lawyer by training, spent most of her
career traveling the world for the National Public Radio (NPR). In an overseas career spanning
25 years, she's covered Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South America wherein she
shares stories and covered wars, prime ministers, presidents, and paupers.

McCarthy is one of NPR's most experienced international correspondents. She has come
full circle, recently returning to Asia to open the newest in the constellation of NPR's overseas
bureaus in Manila where she is currently the Manila Bureau Chief. McCarthy won several
awards for her previous works and articles. She won a Peabody Award for her coverage of
Pakistan, was honored with the Southeast Asia Journalists Association's Environmental Award
for her coverage of Pakistan's 500-year flood in 2010, NPR received a Silver Baton in the Alfred
I. DuPont-Columbia University Awards for its coverage of the conflict during the first Persian
Gulf War.

This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, a media company that
raises awareness of underreported global issues through direct support for quality journalism
across all media platforms and a distinctive program of education and public outreach. It was
founded last 2006 and is now the largest single source of money for global enterprise reporting.

The study related to comfort women brought so much enlightenment and awareness to the
public when greater attention was being spent on the history of Japan and Korea. It’s a historical
issue not just because it affected so many women, but it also taught us the value of human rights.
Regarding this issue, we have to research and look into the past to prevent similar tragedies in
the future. The victims and organizations working on their behalf have pursued and sought an
apology from Japan’s government, reparations, and recognition of the cruelty the women
suffered. In return, an ancestry of Japanese prime ministers has apologized for the "grave
affront" to the integrity of the women who were sexually enslaved. Some even wrote apology
letters personally addressed to the women adding compensation funds wherein 211 women in the
Philippines received funds according to the Japanese government.