US slams Japan mayor’s ‘comfort women’ remarks
The United States on Thursday denounced as “outrageous” comments by an outspoken Japanese mayor who said “comfort women” forced to provide sex during World War II were a military necessity.
The United States on Thursday denounced as “outrageous” comments by an outspoken Japanese mayor who said “comfort women” forced to provide sex during World War II were a military necessity.
The maverick mayor of Osaka on Thursday offered to meet former “comfort women” to apologize for their suffering after causing an international storm when he said they served a “necessary” role in wartime.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday reminded Japanese officials to be careful in commenting about “comfort women” as the issue of wartime sexual abuse continues to rankle in the Philippines.
An outspoken nationalist mayor said the Japanese military’s forced prostitution of Asian women before and during World War II was necessary to “maintain discipline” in the ranks and provide rest for soldiers who risked their lives in battle.
Outgoing Sen. Edgardo J. Angara was conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by Emperor Akihito in Tokyo on Thursday, making him the third Filipino to be given what is said to be the highest distinction given by the Japanese government to an individual.
Realizing that the annual ritual of wreath-laying and rhetorical speechmaking would never be enough, President Aquino on Tuesday pledged to fully deliver the benefits of the thousands of World War II veterans, even as he challenged contemporary Filipinos to emulate their selfless sacrifice.
Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou on Saturday unveiled two new ships that will join the patrol in waters off disputed islands in the East China Sea at the center of a regional territorial row.
The rising might of China is causing it to act with increasing disregard towards its neighbors, a Japanese government-funded study said Friday.
The Japanese government has provided the Philippines fresh P23.19 billion in loans for critical transport infrastructure projects, including the upgrade of two metro railways and the construction of a higher-capacity airport in Bohol.
China has sharply criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for telling a US newspaper that Beijing had a “deeply ingrained” need to challenge neighbors over territory, state media said Friday.
Two US lawmakers on Wednesday warned Prime Minister Shinzo Abe not to revise Japan’s apology over sexual enslavement in World War II, saying the move would set back relations between the allies.
The Philippines said Tuesday it expects to get 10 new Japanese patrol boats within 18 months, as it tries to strengthen its sea defense capabilities amid a deepening territorial row with China.
