The Japanese government expressed regret Wednesday after a district assembly in Berlin adopted a resolution to allow a statue symbolizing Korean women who were procured for Japan's wartime military brothels to remain in place.
The installation of "comfort women" statues by civic groups outside of South Korea, in addition to those near Japanese diplomatic facilities in Seoul and Busan, has been a source of tension between the two Asian countries.
The Mitte district of the German capital has permitted the installation since September despite objections from Tokyo, and the district assembly passed the resolution on Tuesday.
