ATIS_ Prisoner Of War Interrogation Report (1943.2)

Allied Translator and Interpreter Section Area (ATIS) South West Pacific

Prisoner of War Interrogation Report 

Summary

* Rabaul is a city in New Britain, Papua New Guinea occupied by Japanese armed forces.

* Japanese soldiers were not allowed to intercourse with the native women. Instead, they used prostitutes who were age 20~25 and who had established their business before the occupation.

* Japanese armed forces rented buildings to brothel keepers for their prostitution business and controlled the business by strict military law to prevent venereal disease.

 

Transcripts below were copied from nadesiko-action.org
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Prisoner of War Interrogation Report (Rabaul, 1943, 2)

PROSTITUTION

There are three houses of prostitution in the town of RABAUL, with a total of about ten prostitutes. Since the area is under jurisdiction of the Japanese Army, those brothels must have the permission of the military to operate. The military rents the buildings to the brothel keepers. The prostitutes (Chinese, Koreans, and some Indonesians) ranged in ages from about 20 to about 25. PW does not believe that they were sent to RABAUL by the Government, but they had already been established there before the occupation. The girls are inspected weekly by the Army Medical Corps. If they have contracted any diseases, they are not permitted to work until they are well again.

The price which the soldiers pay differs in the area, but the average is about ￥2.50, which was the price at RABAUL. PW states that prices were higher in JAPAN, about twice the amount. The price includes a stay of approximately one hour, tea and tea cakes, use of the wash-room and prophylaxis treatment. However, prophylaxis is also supplied free of charge by the Army. Contraceptives (SAKKU) are compulsory, but these are not furnished by the army. Beer, liquor, and food are served at these houses at exorbitant prices.

Although men are given a physical examination from time to time, they are not examined for venereal disease. However, if a soldier contracts a disease, he is hospitalized until he recovers, being treated by injections in arm daily. The punishment is very light for not reporting symptoms, and although the men do not lose their ratings or pay whole hospitalized, their chances for promotion are impaired but not made impossible.

Intercourse with native women on the island is prohibited by military law.