1. About the World Conference
  2. Schedule of Events
  3. History of JMSS
  4. Join Us
  5. JMSS FORUMS

Welcome to the World Conference on Japanese Military Sexual Slavery

a conference being held from October 4-7, 2007, at the University of California, Los Angeles ("UCLA") campus to honor the bravery and struggle of the survivors. The World Conference is the first global gathering of scholars, non-governmental organizations, human rights activists, attorneys, artists, and most importantly, survivors, to coalesce around a unified plan of action for obtaining the recognition and justice due to aging survivors of Japan's Military Sexual Slavery brutally imposed during World War II (euphemistically known as "comfort women"). Japan's "comfort women" system was the largest sexual trafficking of women known to modern history, for which Japan has steadfastly refused to apologize, despite pressure from the United States and abroad.
Through this multi-disciplinarian and multi-media conference, we intend to 'right' history's wrongs about the human rights abuses committed against comfort women and solidify the international coalition calling for reparations to victims and their bereaved families. Especially in light of the recent passage of House Resolution 121 (the Japanese Apology Bill), the Conference will build on existing pressure for the Japanese government to admit to the crimes committed, give accurate information in textbooks, provide an official apology through a resolution of the "Japanese Diet", and pay full and fair restitution. The conference will also address contemporary issues in gender-based and sexual violence in wartime, trafficking, and modern-day sexual slavery.
The Conference Is Open to the Public and Free of Charge for Days 1, 2 and 4! Please join us in making history.

A complete schedule of the Conference can be found by clicking here.

  
 
 

News + Press
H.R. 121 Passed – Urging Japan to Apologize to Victims of World War II "Comfort System." For more info on HR 121: visit 


Summary of Events

Day 1 of the Conference will be a symposium of non-governmental organizations ("NGOs") from around the world, reporting on what progress they have made in their home countries on these issues and introducing a plan of action. Click here for more details.

Day 2 of the Conference will be a symposium comprised of cutting-edge academics on the subject of the comfort women, reparations, trafficking and sexual slavery, and the intersectionality of racism, sexism and militarism. Click here for more details.

Day 3 of the Conference will feature the most well-respected legal minds on the comfort women issue, as well as sexual slavery, trafficking, and strategy sessions on how to attain the goal of reparations. Click here for more details.

A Celebratory Reception will be held at the close of Day 3 of the Conference, with a keynote address by Congressman Mike Honda. Click here for more details.

Day 4 of the Conference will close the Conference with a vigil for peace in downtown Los Angeles. Click here for more details.

There is something for everyone to contribute and learn at the upcoming World Conference.

Gay McDougal, a former UN Special Rapportuer, poignantly stated, "Through truth and justice comes reconciliation and healing, and where there is healing for the past, there is hope for the future."

Through the World Conference on Japanese Military Sexual Slavery, we hope to heal the wounds of victims and create a coalition of those committed to social justice, equality and human rights. Please join this historical event. Click here to RSVP to the Conference, co-sponsor the event, or make a donation.

Join Us

Please contact us if you or your organization would like to become a co-sponsor to the World Conference, make a donation, or RSVP for any and all of the events. To register for the conference, click here if you reside in Los Angeles and click here if you will be traveling to attend the conference. For brochure of the Conference, click here. For questions regarding any of the events during the Conference, click here.

Click on the following for directions to UCLA generally, parking at UCLA, the law school (academic and legal conference), and faculty center (for gala).

Help us spread the word about the World Conference -- disseminate flyers and put up posters in your area! Click on the following for the Conference flyer in English,Conference flyer in Korean, and the official Conference poster.