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Human Rights, the Sex Industry, and Foreign Troops: Feminist Analysis of Nationalism in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines

Category: Human Trafficking/Exploitation

Within a feminist analytical framework, Andris Zimelis examines the relationship between prostitution,nationalism, and foreign policies.  This article examines how the South Korean, Japanese, and Filipino governments actively supported and maintained the prostitution industry servicing U.S. troops, even though prostitution is illegal, as their national security was contingent upon the provision of these services to U.S. troops since post-World War II.  However, the twist in this relationship is that the resulting physical, economic, legal, and social insecurity of the women is not considered in this  'national security' contract between nations.  The author suggests that the women, who did not necessarily choose to participate in the sex trade, are in fact important actors in their nation's nationalist projects.   But, nationalist interests represented the interests of privileged men and therefore, "nation" does not hold the same meaning for women as it does for men.

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