Authorities in a central Berlin district said on Thursday that they have rescinded approval for a statue erected last month that symbolizes Korean "comfort women" — who suffered under Japan’s military brothel system before and during World War II — amid objections from Tokyo.
The Mitte district is asking a pro-South Korea civic group to remove the comfort women statue by Wednesday. The Japanese government expressed regret over the statue in Berlin after it was installed in a public location in late September.
On Friday in Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato welcomed the rescission, saying, "We perceive it as a positive move and will continue to monitor the situation."