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JS-5. Important record from Setsuzo Kinbara's work log, Vol.1, 1-a. April 15, 1939

金原節三業務日誌摘録 前編その1のイ(昭和14.3.12~昭和14.5.30)

JS-5. Important record from Setsuzo Kinbara
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Author: Setsuzō Kinbara, a high officer of the Medical Affairs Division, Ministry of the Army
Date: April 15, 1939
Locations: Manchuria (China)
Keywords: Mobilization / sanitation

 

Annotation Source: Northeast Asian History Foundation

Click HERE to see the annotation in Korean  

Image link:

http://wam-peace.org/ianfu-koubunsho/pdf/K-PDF/K_D_107-1.pdf

 

ANNOTATION


This is a work log by Setsuzō Kinbara, of the Medical Affairs Division, the Ministry of the Army. It mentions that “We are importing ‘comfort corps’ in the ratio of 1 woman for every 100 soldiers, in order to prevent venereal disease.”

Sources:
WAM Collection (Military_008)
Sourcebook by Suzuki, Yamashita, and Tonomura, Vol 1, p. 146-147

Note:
WAM collection dates this document to April 5, 1939, while the Sourcebook by Suzuki, Yamashita, and Tonomura, Vol. 1 dates it to April 15, 1939. Here it is dated according to the Suzuki, Yamashita, and Tonomura Sourcebook, Vol. 1.

#establishment #Kinbara #medical #ratio

 

QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS

Explain the following words to your students before asking them to read the annotation:

  • venereal disease (VD): a sexually transmitted disease 

After reading the annotation, please answer the following questions:

1. What kind of document is this?
2. Who wrote it?
3. What year was it created?
4. What was the historical context in East Asia during the time?
5. Where was it created?
6. What's the title of the document? What does the title tell you?
7. Who's the audience of the document?
8. According to the work log, how many soldiers would each "comfort woman" serve?
9. What was the purpose of importing the "comfort corps"?
10. The Japanese government has been claiming that it bears no legal or official responsibility for the "comfort women" victims. Based on this document, do you think the claim is defendable? Why or why not? 
11. What other questions do you have for this document?
12. How/Where can you find the answers?

 

*Questions for Students section was designed by Jing Williams, Associate Professor of Social Studies Education at University of South Dakota.