Seeking to avoid a political minefield, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declined Tuesday to comment on NHK Chairman Katsuto Momii's recent explosive remark on wartime sexual servitude, saying only that he hopes the public network will "maintain fair and neutral broadcasting" by defying all external political pressure.
"I don't think I'm in a position to comment on individual remarks made by the top (executive) of a broadcast organization," Abe told lawmakers during a plenary session of the Lower House, answering questions from Democratic Party of Japan President Banri Kaieda.
"I hope the chairman and NHK employees will maintain fair and neutral broadcasting without giving in to any political pressure," Abe said.