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world21h ago
New Zealand officials reject ‘comfort women’ statue after objections from Japan
- New Zealand’s Auckland council refused the application to install the comfort women statue after public consultation.
- Japan warned the move could harm diplomatic relations and submitted formal representations.
- The statue would honour up to 200,000 women coerced into sexual slavery by Japan during 1932–45.
- The proposal sparked debate on how history should be taught and remembered in multi-ethnic New Zealand.
- The Korean Garden Trust pursued the project at Barry’s Point reserve in Takapuna, Auckland.
- Some submitters supported the statue as an opportunity to learn from history.
- The council chair emphasized the decision was not taken lightly after staff advice and community feedback.
- Berlin removed a peace statue in 2025 amid a long-running dispute prompting broader regional sensitivity.
- The issue remains a sensitive topic in Tokyo’s relations with neighbouring countries.
- The submission tally showed 672 public responses with a plurality opposing the statue.
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