A senior official in San Francisco sent a personal message to Osaka in late May urging that Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, co-leader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), cancel his trip to the city due to local anger over his remarks that Japan's wartime "comfort women" system was necessary at the time.

In a translation of the message sent to Osaka on May 22 but only released by the city Monday, the unnamed official said that, while it could not prevent a personal trip by Hashimoto, San Francisco would not treat it as an official visit and San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee would not be hosting any reception for Hashimoto.

"The people of San Francisco do not, at present, welcome Hashimoto's trip to the U.S.," the message said.