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Gov. Sonomanma: What sex slaves?

Miyazaki Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru, a comedian-turned-rookie-politician, waded into a political minefield Wednesday, claiming it was hard to confirm as historical fact that the wartime Japanese military coerced women across Asia into frontline brothels.

"My position is that it is hard to make a comment (on the issue) unless the history is verified," he said. "Both cases of existence and nonexistence (of coercion) should be verified objectively."

Higashikokubaru said he believes there was nothing wrong with Japanese engaging in the sex trade in pre-1945 Korea, because under a "bilateral accord" in 1910, the Korean Peninsula became part of Japan, where the sex business had been allowed under certain regulations.

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