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Japan "could effectively disappear by 2200 as a nation."

In 700 years, "there will be no more Japanese."

"Japan will perish by about 2056 because men are refusing to have intimate relationships with the women."

"The country's population will be just 500 by the year 3000, and just one by 3500."

"Within the next 1,750 years, the Japanese people could be no more."

"Japan may become the first country to become extinct due to the declining birth rate."

Will Japan's Population Go Extinct?

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board rejected a proposal by the Korean Garden Trust to install a bronze statue and plaque at Barry's Point Reserve in Auckland's Takapuna, intended to commemorate women forced into sexual slavery by Japanese forces.

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board rejected a proposal by the Korean Garden Trust to install a bronze statue and plaque at Barry's Point Reserve in Auckland's Takapuna, intended to commemorate women forced into sexual slavery by Japanese forces.

An estimated 200,000 women from Korea, China, Southeast Asia and elsewhere were forced into sexual slavery in Japanese military brothels between 1932 and 1945, a group historically referred to as "comfort women."

An estimated 200,000 women from Korea, China, Southeast Asia and elsewhere were forced into sexual slavery in Japanese military brothels between 1932 and 1945, a group historically referred to as "comfort women."

The local board received 673 submissions on the proposal. Some supported it as an opportunity for reflection and education, while others raised concerns about community tension and the suitability of the location.

The local board received 673 submissions on the proposal. Some supported it as an opportunity for reflection and education, while others raised concerns about community tension and the suitability of the location.

Japanese Ambassador Makoto Osawa submitted a letter to Auckland Council warning the statue could "cause division and conflict" within New Zealand's multicultural society. New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed Japan had made "formal representations" on the matter.

Japanese Ambassador Makoto Osawa submitted a letter to Auckland Council warning the statue could "cause division and conflict" within New Zealand's multicultural society. New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed Japan had made "formal representations" on the matter.

The Free Speech Union raised concerns that the Japanese embassy's submission may have carried undue weight in the board's decision. Chief executive Jillaine Heather said a foreign government's objection should not factor into a local body's deliberations.

The Free Speech Union raised concerns that the Japanese embassy's submission may have carried undue weight in the board's decision. Chief executive Jillaine Heather said a foreign government's objection should not factor into a local body's deliberations.

The first similar peace statue was erected in Seoul in 2011, with comparable installations following in cities worldwide. In 2018, Osaka severed its sister-city relationship with San Francisco after that city displayed a similar monument.

The first similar peace statue was erected in Seoul in 2011, with comparable installations following in cities worldwide. In 2018, Osaka severed its sister-city relationship with San Francisco after that city displayed a similar monument.

Auckland Rejects 'Comfort Women' Memorial Statue

NewAuckland ZealandRejects officials'Comfort reject statue remembering JapanWomen's sexMemorial slavesStatue

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