US seeks Japan apology over war sex slaves

TOKYO: The Japanese government is taking a wait-and-see approach to a US House committee resolution demanding an apology from Japan over wartime sex slavery, with the government spokesperson saying  that Tokyo has already showed its own stance over the issue.

“We have already showed our own stance, on such occasions as Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe’s visit to the United States in April, and there is nothing additional for us to say.”

A foreign ministry official said, “The premier’s words expressing an apology at the Japan-US summit meeting in line with the 1993 statement by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono are everything.”

The official pointed out the resolution is likely to be approved on the full floor of the House, while another government official suggested, “It will be better not to go hither and thither, as the resolution is nonbinding. There are no Japan and US government officials who are trying to make this a political issue. I expect the media not to make a fuss about this.”