Some historians say as many as 200,000 women – mostly from Korea, but also China, south-east Asian, as well as a small number from Japan and Europe were forced or tricked into working in military brothels

they were forced to have sex with 10 to 30 men a day in dimly lit rooms furnished only with beds. Condoms were washed and reused, and offered little protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Medical examinations were infrequent, and many women became addicted to the mercury 606 used to treat syphilis. Forced abortions were commonplace

Japan had no intention of denying or underestimating the experiences of the women, its embassy in New Zealand said, but it believed the statue was part of an “anti-Japan” movement led by a group of Korean people who wanted to make the issue “more sensational”.

No intention of denying it, and no intention of acknowledging it. Looks like we need more of these statues.