Any compensatory measures that the Japanese government is ready to take for enslaving “comfort women” from South Korea during World War II should also be applicable to Taiwan’s victims, stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Sunday (December 27).

The statement was made ahead of the scheduled talk today between Japan and South Korea’s foreign ministers on the comfort women issue. The row over the Korean women forced into prostitution for Japan's military brothels has long plagued the ties between the two nations.

Likewise the issue has undermined ties between Taiwan and Japan. The government of Taiwan has long demanded apology and compensation from the government of Japan, the MOFA stressed, adding that it is persistent on this stance and demands justice and full respect for Taiwan’s victims, the Central News Agency reported.

Taiwan’s embassy in Japan will closely follow the talk between Japan and South Korea. Any positive actions that the Japanese government takes in the aftermath should also affect Taiwan’s comfort women victims, the MOFA said, adding that this is necessary so as to resolve the problem completely.

Out of respect for humanity and human rights, it is hoped that Japan can face the history, bravely take its share of responsibility and handle the matter earnestly, the MOFA said.