OSAKA: A Japanese politician who drew fire for calling “comfort women” a wartime necessity has been forced to apologize for suggesting United States (US) soldiers in Okinawa visit brothels to vent their violent frustrations.

Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto had suggested that US servicemen in the southern prefecture of Okinawa, where relations are frequently tested by violent crimes including rapes and assaults, patronise legal sex businesses there.

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