In New Zealand, a city council has declined a request to place a statue commemorating 'comfort women' - a term used to describe women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II - on public land. The decision follows a vigorous debate among the local community and international stakeholders. The exact location or the city name has not been specified in the news headline.

The issue of 'comfort women' is a heated topic in Japan, often sparking debates about historical accountability and the role of such memorials in public spaces. Many Japanese citizens believe that such statues represent a one-sided view of a complex historical event and have a negative impact on Japan's international relations.

In the US or EU, erecting such a monument could also spark controversy and elicit myriad responses. As in Japan, public sentiment is divided, with some advocating for historical remembrance and acknowledging suffering while others object on the grounds of not encouraging conflict or damaging interpersonal and intergovernmental relationships.