During World War II, many historians have estimated the Japanese Empire trafficked as many as 200,000 women as sex slaves. The women, most of whom were Korean, were euphemistically known as “comfort women.” 

In 2015,  the Japanese and Korean governments reached an agreement over the comfort women issue. Japan agreed to pay a one time contribution of one billion yen to a foundation created by the Korean government which supports comfort women. But many Koreans feel that’s not an ample apology. In a statement last year, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe acknowledged the “immeasurable damage and suffering,” but said that the issue is “final and irreversible.”

This Wednesday, activists will create a live performance in front of Chicago’s Japanese consulate as part of a “National Day of Action.” We talk with Ji Hye Kim from the KAN-WIN Institute how the performance hopes to draw attention to the “comfort women” issue. We also talk with Taewoo Kim from the 3A-Project Team, a group of bikers traveling the U.S. to support “comfort women.”