Surprise Passing of Resolution on Japanese Sexual Slavery is Likely This Month

Surprise Passing of Resolution on Japanese Sexual Slavery is Likely This Month. May. 12, 2007 08:26. sechepa@donga.com.

The U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs will likely pass a resolution this month, currently pending in the House, which demands a Japanese apology for its sexual slavery during the Second World War, backed by as many as 117 lawmakers.

According to Korean American groups including the Korean American Voter Center of New York and New Jersey (director: Kim Dong-seok), as many as 117 House representatives were registered on House Secretariat to support resolution 121 proposed by Mike Honda on January 31.

The number is expected to surpass 120, given that Korean American organizations have secured support from seven more lawmakers.

Chairman Tom Lantos has continually said that he would discuss the bill in the committee if 120 or more congressmen back the resolution.

Against this backdrop, the bill’s surprise passage is likely, given that the office of preceding Chairman Henry Hyde kept secret the deliberation of the resolution submitted by Congressman Lane Evans last year until two days before the vote, out of concern over Japan’s lobbying against it.

Meanwhile, Japan is doing its utmost for last-minute lobbying, as Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Ryozo Kato persistently demands a meeting with Lantos. Kato’s appeal for a meeting with Lantos last week was refused. The Japanese embassy requested to meet with the chairman once again yesterday.

The House decided not to deal with the resolution separately in its Human Rights Commission and Asia Pacific Subcommittee. Forgoing discussions with related subcommittees means shortened time and a streamlined process for possible passage of the bill.