Plans to put up a statue in Auckland to remember women who were forced into sex slavery during wartime have been rejected. This decision was made after people gave their feedback. Japan expressed its concerns.
What the Statue Meant
The bronze statue showed a girl sitting next to an empty chair. Most were Korean. Many were also from China, the Philippines, Indonesia and Taiwan.
Why the Plan Was Rejected
Local authorities said no to the plan after people in the community gave their opinions. Not many people supported the idea. The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board made the decision.
Officials said that what people in the community thought was very important.
Japan’s Reaction and Diplomatic Worries
Japan’s embassy said it was concerned about the project. The Japanese ambassador, Makoto Osawa said that putting up the statue could cause problems between Japan and New Zealand.
He said that Japan does not deny what happened in the past but it has been dealing with diplomatic issues over time. He also warned that the statue could cause tension between Korean communities in New Zealand.
People Who Supported the Statue React
A group, Aotearoa New Zealand Statue of Peace was unhappy with the decision. They said that it ignores the survivors and makes it harder to raise awareness about violence against women during conflict.
They said they will keep telling the stories of the victims and keep working to make people aware of the issue.
Other Places with Similar Statues
There are statues to remember comfort women in countries. These memorials have often caused problems between countries.
