In 1937, with the rise of the Japanese army, and the onslaught o fWWII, the Japanese military
forces began to establish what they called “Houses of Relaxation”. These houses were made
available to cate rto the sexual needs of the Japanese soldiers. Many women were abducted from
the towns where they lived, never to see their families again. The women ranged in ages and
social positions, some married with children, some still in school. Taken against their will, they
were relocated to new, unfamiliar lands and were forced into sexual slavery. They have become
known as “Comfort Women”.