Osaka Mayor and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) co-leader Toru Hashimoto prevailed over his foes in the municipal assembly Thursday night when two condemnation motions against his remarks justifying Japan's wartime "comfort women" system and urging U.S. forces in Okinawa to use sex establishments were voted down.
Hashimoto faced strong calls for a censure motion late Wednesday and Thursday from members of the Liberal Democratic Party. Even New Komeito ranks wanted him formally punished, as did some in his own local group, Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka). But two resolutions, one with "censure" in the title and the other without, failed to obtain majority approval.
Earlier Thursday, Hashimoto had threatened to resign and schedule a mayoral poll for July 21, the same day as the Upper House election, if a censure motion was passed. He made the move under the assumption that opposition parties wouldn't be able to find a credible candidate to run against him in the two months until the Upper House race.
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