Mayor survives censure vote for sex comments
Source: Agencies |
May 31, 2013, Friday
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THE mayor of Japan's second-largest city survived a censure motion yesterday over his inflammatory comments about Japan's wartime sex slavery, remarks that sparked an international uproar.
The Osaka city assembly voted down the motion, which said Mayor Toru Hashimoto's comments earlier this month about Japan's so-called "comfort women" created confusion and tarnished the city's image.
Hashimoto, also co-leader of an emerging nationalistic party, said he would stay on as mayor. He said he took the motion seriously but had no intention to retract his remarks or apologize over them.
"I believe what I'm saying is right," Hashimoto said, referring to his comments on May 13 that Japan's use of "comfort women" before and during World War II was necessary for providing rest for troops.
The motion had been expected to pass, but was voted down because of a last-minute rejection by a main opposition party amid concerns that Hashimoto's possible resignation could drive municipal politics into further disarray. The vote was delayed for hours while opposition lawmakers debated what to do.
Despite his survival, Hashimoto's political future remains uncertain. According to polls, over 70 percent of Japanese thought his remarks were inappropriate.
The Osaka city assembly voted down the motion, which said Mayor Toru Hashimoto's comments earlier this month about Japan's so-called "comfort women" created confusion and tarnished the city's image.
Hashimoto, also co-leader of an emerging nationalistic party, said he would stay on as mayor. He said he took the motion seriously but had no intention to retract his remarks or apologize over them.
"I believe what I'm saying is right," Hashimoto said, referring to his comments on May 13 that Japan's use of "comfort women" before and during World War II was necessary for providing rest for troops.
The motion had been expected to pass, but was voted down because of a last-minute rejection by a main opposition party amid concerns that Hashimoto's possible resignation could drive municipal politics into further disarray. The vote was delayed for hours while opposition lawmakers debated what to do.
Despite his survival, Hashimoto's political future remains uncertain. According to polls, over 70 percent of Japanese thought his remarks were inappropriate.
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