In his statement marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed profound grief over Japan’s actions during World War II while upholding the apologies made by past Japanese governments. However, he did not issue a formal apology of his own. Kim Bok-dong, one of South Korea’s 47 surviving “comfort women,” was not optimistic that Abe would offer an apology in his statement. And rightly so. Abe made no direct reference to “comfort women” during his speech and merely stated that Japan should “never forget that there were women behind the battlefields whose honor and dignity were severely injured.” Eight “comfort women” have died this year. Many believe the 70th anniversary was the last chance for the remaining “comfort women” to receive an official apology from a Japanese prime minister for the crimes perpetrated against them. We continue to urge the Japanese government to formally recognize the women who suffered as sex slaves in Japan’s military brothels. Here are a few stories of surviving “comfort women” : http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/comfort-women-japans-ww2-sex-slaves-tell-their-stories-demand-apology-photo-report-1515139. Watch PM Shinzo Abe’s statement here: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33924159