Osaka mayor says WWII 'comfort women' necessary

Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto has said he believes the recruitment of women into sex brothels was 'necessary to maintain discipline' in the Japanese military during World War II.

Hashimoto, who also co-heads the opposition's Japan Restoration Party, told reporters at Osaka City Hall on Monday that women forced into sexual slavery for Japan's imperialist army, euphemistically dubbed 'comfort women', were 'needed to provide rest' for soldiers.

The mayor questioned why Japan has been singled out as other countries had similar systems in place at the time. He has denied that Japan systematically and forcibly abducted women, mostly from other Asian countries, and forced them into sexual slavery.

A South Korean council for women drafted into sexual slavery by Japan has denounced the remarks as 'profaning' the victims.