This work began in 2021, in response to the publication of J. Mark Ramseyer’s article “Contracting for Sex in the Pacific War” and the ensuing attention and controversy it caused. I and four other scholars produced a thorough fact check and argument for its retraction by the journal. For background on this issue, please read Jeannie Suk Gersen’s New Yorker article.

Here you can read our 2021 article, and our 2023 update on the situation. More work on this topic is ongoing.