Rp 52b for 1,300 comfort women

DILI, East Timor: The Japanese government has agreed to provide compensation of Rp 52 billion (US $21.4 million) to the province's 1,300 former "comfort women" after the general election on May 29, a local official said recently.

Chief coordinator of the compensation program, Abdul Hakim, told Antara that the women, who were forced into prostitution during the Japanese occupation in World War II, would receive the money in 10 installments.

Abdul said the women were dispersed throughout East Timor's 13 regencies, with 800 in Bobonaro regency and five to 10 women in the 12 other regencies.

"Each jugun ianfu (comfort woman) will receive two million yen or Rp 40 million (US$16,500) through the Jakarta-based Yayasan Melati," he said.

The compensation is being made under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Indonesia and Japan on August 9, 1996 in Japan, an event attended by representatives of comfort women from 13 other countries within the Asia Pacific region. (01)