Osaka has ended its sister city relationship with San Francisco to protest the display of a statue symbolizing Japan's wartime use of sex slaves.
Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura said San Francisco's recognition of the so-called "comfort women" statue "destroyed the two sides' relationship of trust."
The monument depicts three women - from Korea, China and the Philippines - who represent girls forced to work in front-line brothels during Japanese colonialism.
A spokesperson for San Francisco Mayor London Breed said Yoshimura's decision was unfortunate, adding the cities' relationship will be maintained via people-to-people ties.