Congressmen want Japan to address 'comfort women' issue

California Congressmen Mike Honda and Steve Israel announced on Friday that a provision was included in the current State and Foreign Operations Appropriations package urging US Secretary of State John Kerry to encourage Japan's government to address the issue of women who were forced into sexual servitude during World War II, also known as "comfort women".

The letter submitted by the Congressmen prior to committee passage.

The initiative came after the West Coast unveiled its first public memorial to WWII era "comfort women" in Glendale city, California, on Tuesday. City officials rejected a request from the Japanese general consulate in Los Angeles to not display te statue in a public park.

A similar request was made last year by the Japanese government to stop a monument to comfort women from being erected in New Jersey.

Many Asian Americans and Chinese community leaders have expressed shock and indignation at the Japanese government's attitude regarding comfort women.