The statue known as 'Ari', which memorializes the victims of Japan’s 'comfort women' system of sexual slavery, was relocated to a new site in Berlin after it was forcibly removed from its previous location by the borough government of Mitte last October. This significant move comes as a response to ongoing discussions about history, memory, and the impact of wartime atrocities on communities. The Berlin Statue of Peace aims to raise awareness of the issues surrounding comfort women and contribute to shared cultural memory in the city.

Philip Horst, co-founder and director of the Center for Art and Urbanistics (ZK/U), expressed the importance of the statue’s presence in Berlin. ZK/U, established in 2012, is a hub that supports artists from Germany and across Europe and Asia, facilitating projects that explore the intersections of urban space, art, and social issues. Horst emphasized that by hosting 'Ari', ZK/U is not only reclaiming the space for marginalized histories but also fostering a communal memory that celebrates cultural resilience.

The relocation of 'Ari' also highlights the ongoing struggle for recognition and justice for comfort women, who have been silenced for decades. This incident reinforces the need for continuous dialogue and education about historical injustices, particularly in how they relate to contemporary social movements. The survival of such artworks in public spaces serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity to confront difficult histories and honor the experiences of those affected by violence and oppression.