This is the sort of beyond-incomprehensible comment by a Japanese politician that makes me realize how broken the political system here is and how far behind Japan is in the path towards gender equality.
Trent Lott lost his senate majority leader for comments as abhorrent. Ota NEEDS to be punished or this kind of talk will continue and these deeds will continue.
Japan Today Japan News – News – LDP lawmaker calls gang rapists ‘virile’
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UPDATE: BBC coverage shows that Koizumi wants Ota criticized. That doesn’t go nearly far enough, imo.
UPDATE 2: The New York Times covers Ota’s idiotic comments from a broader perspective, including reporting on a teacher-student rape case.
In 1998, Louisiana State Representative Carl Gunter fought to squelch a proposed bill that would allow abortion in the event of incest. His reason? “Inbreeding,” he explained, “is how we get championship horses.”
http://www.google.com/search?btnG=Google+Search&q=carl%20gunter%20abortion%20incest
…which just goes to show that we can raise some prize idiots in America, too. A pox on both their houses!