THE PLANNED demolition of a building used as a "comfort station" by the Japanese Military during World War II has been suspended by the Shanghai authorities. A historical assessment of the unlisted building in Hongkou district has been launched, local officials said on Tuesday. China Youth Daily comments:

The building was brought into the spotlight because of a photo posted on the instant messaging app WeChat by writer Chen Danyan, who lamented the impending loss of such an important piece of history.

The demolition may meet with realty development needs and also comply with the wishes of local residents. But the building undoubtedly has an important historical identity as a Japanese naval officers' "comfort station" during WWII, where non-Japanese women from Japanese-occupied areas were forced into sex slavery.