Asian Women’s Fund

The Asian Women's Fund was established in 1995 by the Japanese government as an attempt to resolve the issue of "comfort women". This term is a euphemism for women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. Estimates suggest up to 200,000 women, primarily from Korea but also from other parts of Asia, were involved. These women were held in "comfort stations" under harsh conditions, subjected to rape, and often faced violence or death if they resisted. The fund, sustained by private donations rather than government funds, faced opposition from activists and ceased operating in 2007. The issue of comfort women remains a sensitive topic, with ongoing debates about coercion and Japan's historical responsibility.1