CONFIDENTIAL
(a) Whether any investigation was carried out, or any
representations made to the Japanese Government, after
World War II regarding this form of torture;
(b) How many Hong Kong women were so brutalised, what attempts were made to assist them in starting a new life,
and how many are still alive; and
(c) Whether it will consider opening a dialogue with the
Japanese Government to seek some form of compensation for
these brutalised women and their families.
A
4.
The Hong Kong Government believe that, as in Korea, these
allegations are probably well founded. But neither they nor we have any records of such cases in Hong Kong. This question was not discussed with the Japanese during the negotiation of the
1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, nor is there any record of
evidence on this having been considered by the British Military
Courts investigating Japanese war crimes in Hong Kong. Neither have they had any approaches for assistance from any of these
women. Hong Kong's draft replies to parts (a) and (b) of
Mr McGregor's question (see HK Telno 1686) reflect these facts,
and we are content with them.
5.
Question (c) is more difficult. We are satisfied that the
1951 Peace Treaty effectively bars the legal basis of any claims
by such women. But the lack of a legal locus has not prevented
Ministers discussing with the Japanese the problems of former
Prisoners of War. Most recently the Prime Minister, during his
visit to Japan in October, told Prime Minister Hosokawa that "if
the Japanese Government were contemplating taking steps to
redress the matter it would be necessary for the situation of
those concerned in Britain to be fully taken into account".
two Prime Ministers agreed to keep closely in touch on the
subject. If Hong Kong "comfort women" were to come forward, and
The
com.wom.JM
SLM
CONFIDENTIAL