Further in things things worse than a less-than-flattering description of Manila: A petition has been going around the Internet asking netizens to pressure Osaka mayor Toru Hashimoto to apologize for saying Japanese troops using sex slaves in World War II was necessary.
The petition at Change.org, started by the Kansai Network for the Japanese Military Comfort Women Issue, is in reaction to Hashimoto’s statement earlier this month that the use of sex slaves in wartime was necessary to maintain military discipline.
The petition has more than 5,600 signatures already and needs at least 2,200 more.
Hashimoto has indicated that he is ready to apologize, and that he will do so to two Korean victims at a ceremony in Osaka city hall later this month. He has also said the use of “comfort women” was not unique to Japan.
Kansai Network said it “strongly condemns Hashimoto’s remarks and demand a formal apology. We call on people within Japan and across the world to stand in solidarity with the victims by signing this petition.” It said it will deliver the petition to Hashimoto directly.
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Photo: Screenshot of the online petition
