Griselda Molemans is the author of A Lifetime of War, published in 2021. The book uncovers the real number of victims of the war crimes of rape and forced prostitution from the "comfort stations" established by the Japanese Imperial Army in all occupied regions throughout Southeast Asia. Regions from China and Indochina to the Dutch East Indies and the Pacific Islands are explored, including new evidence showing that the number of nationalities involved was much higher than previously assumed as well as the lack of international research on the Burma-Thailand Railway and the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia). Griselda Molemans is also an investigative reporter and documentary maker.
Your book, A Lifetime of War, reveals the real number of victims of Japanese forced prostitution. How did you become interested in this dark part of history, and what inspired you to write a book focused on it?
When I interviewed several women of indigenous Indonesian descent back in 2004, I discovered that the Japanese system of forced prostitution was rolled out all over the archipelago between 1942-1945.
These facts contradict the official Dutch government’s report which states that the system was only installed in the main islands Java and Sumatra. This cover-up made me decide to pursue my research.
Can you share insights into your research process for the book? What sources did you consult, and what challenges did you encounter?
I started out with archival documents in The Netherlands which are sealed off until 2026. Thanks to the efforts of the lawyers of the Dutch Journalists' Organization, I was granted access to this evidence.This presented the biggest challenge: it took two years before I was given access.
Next, I consulted documents in the National Archives of the UK, France, Portugal, the US, Australia and New Zealand plus archival materials from Malaysia, Korea, China and Japan.
Your work includes the Dutch East Indies. What drew you to explore this particular region?
I always had my doubts regarding the real amount of victims of the Japanese system in this former Dutch colony. Statistically, it is impossible that ‘300 young women’ were ‘recruited’ to serve over 350,000 soldiers and marines. The number of 300 was presented in the government report back in 1994.
Since the book came out in 2021, what progress or movement have you seen regarding representation and scholarship of “comfort women?”
My biggest frustration is that the ‘old’ insights are still presented, i.e. 200,000 victims representing 12 countries. What I’d like to underline are new facts: 500,000 victims representing 35 countries and city-states; over 50 post-war sentences regarding rape and forced prostitution; and the money trail of the brothel system in Indonesia.
How does the history of “comfort women” impact the rest of the world? Why is it important that these stories are told?
Sexual abuse in war times is a recurring war crime. The ‘comfort women’ facts have resulted in important additions to the 3rd Geneva Convention regarding the protection of female civilians.
Other than that, the case law I discovered may be helpful for bringing perpetrators to justice: ISIL soldiers for abusing Yezidi girls; Russian soldiers vs. Ukrainian women; and the situation in Gaza.
What are some steps or initiatives that readers can take to support the “comfort women” movement and advocate for justice?
1. Civilians in the US, the UK, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany and Hungary need to call out their governments for ignoring their own involvement: American, British and French victims have never been recognised.
As for the Spanish, Italian, German and Hungarian victims, the reason that these governments don’t know the facts is because this evidence is still locked away in Dutch archives.
2. An alliance of all 35 countries needs to force the Japanese government to officially apologise to the last victims and their families.
3. In each of these 35 countries statues and monuments need to be unveiled.
Thank you so much!
Learn more about Griselda Molemans' works here.