Osaka Mayor Doru Hashimoto has raised another round of controversy and criticism for saying that American soldiers subscribe more to prostitutions.
Previously, the ultra-conservative said it was necessary to provide comfort women for sexual services to soldiers engaging in war.
Even the Japanese government and civil groups are criticizing Hashimoto who had long been regarded as a possible candidate for Prime Minister.
Senior government officials, including Hakubun Simomura and Domomi Inada, said the comments are a serious discrimination against women’s human rights.
Sigeru Ishiba, secretary general of the Democratic Justice Party, said there was obviously a need to look out for the interest of soldiers in battle but it is improper for a representative of a political party to make comments which damage national interests.