'Speak out' against sex-slave denial: MP

[Neil D]

Chinese-Canadian politicians and community leaders are calling on the government to publicly condemn the Japanese prime minister for denying his country's role in the enslavement of thousands of Asian women during World War II.

"We should speak out and issue a condemnation," says New Democrat MP Olivia Chow.

During Japan's occupation of its neighbours, 80,000-200,000 women were forced to work as sex slaves for the military.

As many as half were Chinese. Women from Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam were also forced to work in military brothels.

The events are well-documented by scholars the world over, but Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said there's "no evidence to prove that there was coercion" of the women, who came to be known as "comfort women" in Japan.

Tory MP Inky Mark, who was shocked when he read Abe's words, wants the prime minister to condemn the comments.

LIKE DENYING HOLOCAUST

"It's along the same lines of denying the Holocaust. It was a war crime against humanity."

Chow has written a letter to the Japanese leaders, pleading with them to stop appealing a court case in which the surviving sex slaves won damages.

"Tragic history may repeat itself if justice is not done and past wrongs are not acknowledged," Chow writes.