Japan's Comfort Women exposes the story of Japanese women who were forced to enter prostitution to serve the Japanese Imperial army, often living in appalling conditions of sexual slavery. Using a wide range of primary sources, Tanaka uncovers new and controversial information about the role of US occupation forces in military controlled prostitution, as well as evidence of a subsequent "cover-up".

Tanaka asks why US occupation forces did little to help the women, and argues that military authorities organized prostitution to prevent the widespread incidence of GI rape among the Japanese women and to control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. This groundbreaking book reveals new material relating to this highly controversial and contentious issue and is sure to have a deep impact on the ongoing international debate on this highly emotive issue.