The Japanese Embassy has warned that a proposed Statue of Peace in Auckland, intended to memorialize women forced into sexual slavery before and during World War II, could have “a significant impact” on diplomatic relations.
The bronze statue was offered to New Zealand by the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance. It depicts a seated girl next to an empty chair, mirroring a design originally installed facing the Japanese Embassy in Seoul in 2011.
- Public Split: Of 672 submissions, 57% opposed the statue and 43% were in favor.
- Proposed Site: The Korean Cultural Garden at Barry’s Point Reserve in Takapuna, Auckland.
- Diplomatic Tension: Japan argues the issue was settled via a 2015 agreement and an NZD$11 million payment.
Debate Over the Statue of Peace Proposal
Local authorities are considering the installation of the memorial in the Korean Cultural Garden. The proposal was scheduled for review during the April 28 Devonport-Takapuna local board meeting.
Supporters, including the Refugee Women’s Council of New Zealand, argue the statue would honor the resilience of survivors and promote human rights education. They suggest a public symbol of acceptance would reduce harm for survivors of wartime sexual violence.
Opponents have raised concerns regarding the appropriateness of a public park for the memorial and the risk of creating politically charged divisions within the community.
Diplomatic Warnings from Japan
Japanese Ambassador to New Zealand Makoto Osawa expressed concern that the statue could cause conflict between the Japanese and Korean communities peacefully coexisting in New Zealand.
Osawa warned that such installations have previously caused diplomatic tensions between Japan and other nations, including the United States, Germany, and Australia. He noted that the strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific makes cooperation between Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea more critical than ever.
The Ambassador also highlighted that $75,000 in Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade funding provided in 2015 for the Korean garden could mistakenly imply New Zealand government support for the statue.
Historical Conflict and Resolution Claims
Historians estimate that between 20,000 and 200,000 women—mostly from Korea, but also China and the Philippines—were coerced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces.
Ambassador Osawa stated that the Japanese government does not intend to trivialize the issue and has spent over 30 years addressing it. He pointed to a 2015 agreement intended as a “final and irreversible resolution.”
While the Japanese government admits women suffered during the war, it denies they were taken against their will. However, scholars, advocacy groups, and victims have characterized previous apologies and compensation as insincere.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.
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