The Japanese Occupation of the Philippines

The Japanese occupation of the Philippines began soon after they invaded the island chain in December of 1941. Subsequently it would last for three brutal years, from 1942 to the Japanese surrender in 1945. It was a bitter period for the Filipinos. In fact many Filipinos were forced into submission through fear, torture, and threat of death to family members. Sadly, the Japanese Army sexually enslaved thousands of young girls and women in the Philippines during World War II.

The Impact of Occupation

Japanese treatment of the population got much worse as the War turned in favor to the Allies. Consequently, the Philippines suffered great loss of life and massive destruction of property. In the end, an estimated 527,000 Filipinos, both military and civilians, lost their lives during the Japanese occupation period and the War. Of these approximately 150,000 died in seventy-two war crime events.

The 44th General Hospital on Leyte

The 44th General Hospital landed on Leyte Island on November 18th, 1944. It was just twenty-seven days after General MacArthur and the 6th Army invaded on October 20th. Initially, the hospital caravan met countless Leyte natives fleeing the inland fighting to the Allied landing beaches. Many had been wounded in the shelling preceding the U.S. invasion. Some had lost their homes. They carried what essentials they could. But, the Filipinos were happy to gain the protection of the U.S. Army. Most importantly, the hope of liberation was finally on the horizon. Over time, the lives of the hospital staff and the Filipinos became closely intertwined.

The 44th Sets Up at Burauen

The 44th set up a hospital near Burauen village. Burauen is situated inland in a valley just east of Leyte’s Central Mountain Range. The local villagers worked the rice fields and harvested various crops. The area is known for its rivers, lakes and natural springs. Previously, before the U.S. invasion, the village was a central crossroads for the Japanese. Earlier they had built three airfields and a hospital there. Also, many troops garrisoned there.

The Youngest Victims of Japanese Occupation

By January of 1945, the Japanese Army had been driven out of the Burauen area by U.S. and Filipino forces. However, the Japanese left behind much devastation. For example, many Filipino children became orphaned. The men and women serving in the 44th were touched by the plight of these innocent victims. Below is one of my Dad’s most haunting photos from the War. The serious look on the faces of the children reflects their tragic story. Tragically, they appear much older than their years. I can’t imagine what must’ve been going on in their young minds.

The Tragic Story of the “Comfort Women”

Another tragic part of the Japanese conquest and occupation of Asian countries was the sexual enslavement of women. The Japanese military set up what they called “Comfort Houses” to provide sexual services for their troops. This practice is linked to the samurai tradition of offering women to conquering warriors. Shockingly, the victims of this practice numbered over 200,000 women. Mostly, from China, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and other Japanese-occupied countries.

Covering-up the Tragedy

However, for decades after the War these atrocities were not well-known. That is, except to the victims and their closest family members. Besides, the Japanese government claimed immunity from any consequences for actions taken by their military. Consequently, the women themselves, many too fearful to come forward, tried to repress their painful memories. Recently, this tragic part of the War has been brought to light.

The Brave Women Who Came Forward

Remedios Felias Tells Her Story

Remedios grew up in Esperanza Village, Burauen, Leyte. She was present when the Japanese invaded the Philippines. As they fled Burauen, Japanese soldiers captured Remedios and her family. The Japanese had moved in quickly to establish their air bases in Central Leyte. Subsequently, Remedios endured life as a Japanese “Comfort Woman.” She was held within a “Comfort House” at a Japanese airbase near Burauen. Japanese soldiers brutally beat and repeatedly raped Remedios over two years of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Finally, in October of 1944, the U.S. Army invaded and liberated the Burauen area.

Liberation by the U.S. Army

Remedios spent five days in a Japanese bomb shelter without food. Eventually, she came out of the bunker after her captors either fled or died in fighting. Thought to be a Japanese soldier, an American GI almost shot her. Fortunately, a Filipino guide recognized that she was a young girl. Then, an Army jeep took Remedios to the 44th General Hospital for treatment. After rehabilitating, she reunited with her family. She dealt with the effects of the abuse for the rest of her life. Later in her life she connected with other Comfort Women in Manila. While living there, she and other women drew colored pencil sketches of their experiences during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

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Remedios Taken to the 44th General Hospital

“When the raid was over, the Japanese soldiers told me to get out. I had been in that shelter for one week and five days without food and was completely weakened. When I went outside I met some American soldiers who nearly shot me. One of the Filipino soldiers warned them not to shoot. It was then that I, weak with hunger, thirst and exhaustion was finally rescued. I was taken to an American hospital. When I was put into their jeep to go, I saw many of the women who had been with me, and many Japanese soldiers, dead. I was overcome with fright”.

Remedios Felias describing her rescue. From “The Hidden Battle of Leyte: A Picture Diary of a Girl Taken by the Japanese Military” by Chieko Takemi.

Japanese Journalist Publishes the Story

Chieko Takemi, a Japanese female journalist, was greatly moved by Remedios’ story. Consequently, Chieko published Remedios’ sketches and descriptions of events. The text was translated from Tagalog to English and to Japanese. This very moving and beautifully illustrated book is available from Amazon. Chieko worked diligently on the efforts to gain restitution for the Comfort Women from the Japanese government. Additionally, she helped raise funds to restore the agricultural life of the people of Leyte. She initiated a program to provide funds to purchase carabao for the Filipino farmers, who lost most of their stock during World War II.

Maria Rosa Henson’s Memoirs

Recent Media Coverage of the Comfort Women’s Story

Recently, some major media outlets published articles covering the plight of the Comfort Women. The following is from NPR:

For decades, the survivors of the “comfort women” system did not share their stories. Their private pain, hidden in shame, was concealed from the outside world. But by the early 1990s, details of their experiences began to emerge in a series of lawsuits against Japan. They wanted Japan to offer a public apology and financial compensation for their suffering.

NPR “Goats and Soda” article: “Why These World War II Sex Slaves Are Still Demanding Justice“, by Julie McCarthy,
December 4, 2020.

Legal Actions Taken

Legal actions are being taken to offer restitution. Although, it’s too late to impact the lives of the majority of the victims. Sadly, most have passed away. But recently, a South Korean court ordered Japan to pay reparations to a number of surviving women held as “comfort women”:

Wartime sex slaves from South Korea, euphemistically known as “comfort women,” won their first legal victory against the Japanese government in a landmark ruling handed down Friday in Seoul. The Seoul Central District Court ordered Japan’s government to pay reparations of 100 million won ($91,300) each to the families of 12 women who were forced to work as sex slaves for the Japanese army during Japan’s colonization of Korea. The court called Japan forcing the women — only five of whom are still alive — to be sex slaves “a crime against humanity.”

From article “South Korean court orders Japan to pay comfort women, WWII sex slaves, reparations“, by Jen Kwon, January 8, 2021, CBS News.

Why it’s Important to Expose This Tragedy

Sadly, there were millions of innocent victims of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and other Pacific countries. Accordingly, victims should have received restitution sooner. But by bringing this tragedy of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines to light, we can hope that these crimes are not repeated. Above all, today’s threats of genocide, ethnic “cleansing”, sexual slavery, and atrocities against women and children must be dealt with swiftly.

Helping Today’s Victims of Human Trafficking

Kali Basi founded “Conscious by Kali“, an organization that assists women impacted by human trafficking. Kali is a successful fashion designer. Today, she works with survivors around the world who produce beautiful clothing and accessories. As a result, “Conscious by Kali bridges the gap between enslavement and a free and independent life”. My wife and I met Kali in Madison, WI, while doing research on my book “The Battle of Buffalo Wallow“. Kali’s organization is doing great work in the world. Therefore, please consider making a contribution to support them.

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