"To maintain discipline in the military, it must have been necessary at that time. For soldiers who risked their lives in circumstances where bullets are flying around like rain and wind, if you want them to get some rest, a comfort women system was necessary. That's clear to anyone."

                      -Toru Hashimoto, Mayor of Osaka, Japan.

Said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei: "We are appalled and indignant about the Japanese politician's comments boldly challenging humanity and historical justice."

Said Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga: "The stance of the Japanese government on the comfort women issue is well known. They have suffered unspeakably painful experiences."

Says Benjamin Harris: 1. "Comfort women" were forced prostitutes. Forced sex is rape. The comfort women system therefore was systematized rape. 2. Toru Hashimoto therefore is an ignorant asshole. 3. Ditto what Hong Lei said. 4. Yoshihide Suga's statement does not exclude Hashimoto's contention that the comfort women system was "necessary." 5. Suga and the Japanese government therefore are assholes on this issue.