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Osaka mayor 'sorry' for US brothel remarks | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The mayor of the Japanese city of Osaka has apologised for suggesting US soldiers should use legal brothels as a way to curb sexual crimes in Okinawa. | The mayor of the Japanese city of Osaka has apologised for suggesting US soldiers should use legal brothels as a way to curb sexual crimes in Okinawa. |
US personnel have been involved in a number of violent crimes in Okinawa over the years, including rapes. | US personnel have been involved in a number of violent crimes in Okinawa over the years, including rapes. |
Toru Hashimoto drew international criticism last week when he said that sex slaves ("comfort women") served a necessary role during World War II. | Toru Hashimoto drew international criticism last week when he said that sex slaves ("comfort women") served a necessary role during World War II. |
Two former "comfort women" cancelled their meeting with him on Friday. | Two former "comfort women" cancelled their meeting with him on Friday. |
Mr Hashimoto, a leading figure in the small, nationalist Japan Restoration Party, later apologised for those remarks. | Mr Hashimoto, a leading figure in the small, nationalist Japan Restoration Party, later apologised for those remarks. |
'Inappropriate' | 'Inappropriate' |
On Saturday he said he apologised to the US military and the American people for saying that US soldiers should visit legal sex businesses on Okinawa to curb their sexual energy. | On Saturday he said he apologised to the US military and the American people for saying that US soldiers should visit legal sex businesses on Okinawa to curb their sexual energy. |
"The phrase 'sex businesses' was inappropriate," he said in a TV interview on Saturday. | "The phrase 'sex businesses' was inappropriate," he said in a TV interview on Saturday. |
Last year, two US soldiers raped a Japanese woman in Okinawa. In the wake of that case, a curfew was imposed on all US troops in Japan. | Last year, two US soldiers raped a Japanese woman in Okinawa. In the wake of that case, a curfew was imposed on all US troops in Japan. |
There has been a US military presence on Okinawa since the US invaded the island during World War II. | There has been a US military presence on Okinawa since the US invaded the island during World War II. |
Mr Hashimoto outraged Japan's neighbours when he said on 13 May that the "comfort women" had given Japanese soldiers a chance "to rest". | Mr Hashimoto outraged Japan's neighbours when he said on 13 May that the "comfort women" had given Japanese soldiers a chance "to rest". |
Some 200,000 women in territories occupied by Japan during WWII are estimated to have been forced to become sex slaves for troops. | Some 200,000 women in territories occupied by Japan during WWII are estimated to have been forced to become sex slaves for troops. |
Many of the women came from China and South Korea, but also from the Philippines, Indonesia and Taiwan. | Many of the women came from China and South Korea, but also from the Philippines, Indonesia and Taiwan. |
The Japanese government, which in 1993 issued a formal apology over the issue, has sought to distance itself from his comments. | The Japanese government, which in 1993 issued a formal apology over the issue, has sought to distance itself from his comments. |
The US state department has also criticised his words as "outrageous and offensive". | The US state department has also criticised his words as "outrageous and offensive". |
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