Outspoken Japanese Opposition politician and Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto on Tuesday announced cancellation of his visit to the United States scheduled for next month, Japanese media reported.
Leader of the Japan Restoration Party, Hashimoto was getting bitter criticism at home and abroad for his controversial remarks about wartime "comfort women" and his suggestion that U.S. servicemen in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa should use the local sex industry.
Hashimoto told reporters that it would not benefit him to go ahead with his planned U.S. visit under the present circumstances as it would cause only a burden for that country on security and other matters. He also considered the opinions of the Osaka municipal assembly members in canceling the visit, the NHK broadcaster said.
Hashimoto on Monday retracted and apologized for his recent suggestion made to a U.S. Commander in Okinawa urging American service-members stationed in the military base there to make more use of the adult entertainment industry.
The U.S. Forces Japan Command accepted the apology, and in a comment released on Tuesday, a senior officer said he had no reason to doubt the sincerity of the mayor's apology. The U.S. forces hope this will end the discussion of Hashimoto's remarks, the officer said adding that the U.S. Forces Japan was focusing more on continuing its mission in Japan.
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