Date of letter:1993-08-10
Address of author:Yu County, Yangquan City, Shanxi Province
Date of event:1941-08
Location of event:Not mentioned
Name of author:Li Xiumei
Name(s) of victim(s):Li Xiumei
Type of atrocity:Sex Slaves (SS)
Other details:In August 1941, I was captured by the Japanese Army and sent to the Japanese Army’s stronghold. Back then I was a teenage girl, there I was gang raped, and beaten to develop wounds all over. I was kept there for as long as 5 months, and my leg was still disabled today and my head with scar. Note: The envelope is missing
Tong Zeng, Li Dingguo,
How are you?
I’ve learned that you are helping the victims of Japan’s war of aggression against China during World War II to file a complaint.
As a victim and also a survivor, I am asking you to help me demand an apology and economic compensation from the Japanese government.
I am Li Xiumei and lives in Bei Village, Xiyan Town, Meng County, Shanxi Province. At the end of August 1941, I was captured and taken to the Japanese army stationed in this village. I was then a 16 years old young girl. The cruel Japanese soldiers repeatedly gang-raped me. Sometimes, I had to serve over 30 Japanese soldiers just in one day. In particular, one husky officer with a red face would tie my hands and feet before raping me. Sometimes when I resisted; they would punch me, kick me or hit me with a wood stick. I had wounds all over my body. My legs have been crippled ever since and my head still bears scars from those days. After being tortured for over 5 months in the hands of the Japanese soldiers, I became physically disabled, my life was ruined, and my heart was permanently wounded.
I am writing to ask you to pursue justice for me. I firmly demand an apology and a compensation of USD 300,000 from the Japanese government for the debt that the invading Japanese army owes me.
Best regards,
Victim Li Xiumei (Fingerprint)
August 10, 1993
