"One major reason is the decline of left-leaning historians and the weakening of progressive forces in Japan. Chinese scholars need to make our voices more powerful and better heard," says Su.
This is also one of Su's team's main goals they hope to achieve through publishing the book. With many newly unearthed historical records and photos unveiled for the first time, they aim to reveal historical truths with practical evidence, urging invaders to reflect on these wartime atrocities.
Through extensive archival research, Su's team solidly established that the "comfort women" system was planned and implemented by the Japanese government and military, and that the victims undoubtedly suffered horrible and inhumane atrocities.
"A basic conclusion we can draw from all this evidence is that the 'comfort women' system is a national crime and atrocity committed by the Japanese government during WWII. It is a fact that should be acknowledged worldwide and admitted by the invaders," says Su.
With the number of living "comfort women" survivors quickly dwindling, Su and Chen — both nearing their 70s — are racing relentlessly against time. In addition to interviews with the survivors and establishing the system's historical facts, the team is also making continuous efforts to care for these women and help improve their lives.
Despite the obstruction from Japanese right-wing forces over the past decade, the team is actively working on the application to be added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
"Only by acknowledging this part of the history can the world, especially the invaders, think about the history, cherish peace, and look toward the future," says Su.
