After Japan’s colonial rule ended in 1945, Indonesia declared independence, but a lasting wound remains for many former ianfu (comfort women)—Indonesian women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese army. The exact number of victims is unknown, but researcher Yoshiaki Yoshimi estimates that at least 50,000 to 200,000 women were coerced into military brothels through deception and violence. Victims came from across Asia, including Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and even European colonies such as British, Dutch, French, and Portuguese territories.

Indonesian researcher Eka Hindra notes that Japanese troops moved ianfu to frontlines, taking many Javanese girls to places like Kalimantan and Maluku. Deceived, abducted, or threatened, they were forced into ianjo, Japan military run brothels to comfort women system. or raped in barracks and camps.