Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday the government "is not at all considering" issuing apology letters to Korean women forced to work in wartime brothels for the Japanese military, citing the deal cut between Tokyo and Seoul late last year aimed at irrevocably settling the issue.
"Both countries are required to sincerely fulfill the contents of the agreement, and (apology letters) are not included in those contents," Abe told the Lower House Budget Committee.
As agreed in the December deal, South Korea set up a foundation, into which Japan has deposited ¥1 billion, to care for the surviving "comfort women" and their families.