Osaka, Japan Mayor in Hot Water Over Extreme Comments

Update 27May2013: Mr. Hashimoto has apologised to the US for his suggestion and attempted to clarify his other remarks.

The mayor of Osaka, Japan, Toru Hashimoto, has shared his opinion that a major human rights abuse committed by Japan during WWII, the widespread, systematic rape of Korean and other women, was justified in order to maintain military discipline and “provide relaxation for those brave soldiers who had been in the line of fire.”

He also suggested to U.S. officials that American soldiers stationed in Okinawa should make freer use of the local prostitutes. Hashimoto reminded the officials that
after WWII, Japan created the Recreation and Amusement Association, a system of bordellos for Allied troops in Tokyo.