Sex slave, 96, dies in China

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February 23, 2005 15:41 IST

Zhu Qiaomei, China's oldest surviving sex slave from World War II, died Tuesday at the age of 96.

She was the only known "comfort woman" in Shanghai, China' largest city. "Her only wish was to get justice," said her son Zhou Xin.

Zhu, who lived in Chongming County, was forced to be a so-called comfort woman by Japanese troops in 1938 when Japan attacked China and other Asian nations.

Along with seven other local women, Zhu was forced to provide sexual services for Japanese soldiers for about two years. At that time she was two months pregnant. "Their miserable experience will not be forgotten," said Zhu Miaochun, a local lawyer who has volunteered to help the women seek justice since 2000.

According to the report, there are about 60 former sex slaves known in China. Japanese troops had established 83 "comfort centres" in Shanghai alone.

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