The new chairman of Japan’s national broadcaster has been warned after making controversial comments about women forced to work as prostitutes by Japan’s army during World War Two.

Katsuto Momii, the new chairman of NHK, said last week the practice could be found in all regions at war and that it was only wrong by today’s standards.

NHK’s board Tuesday reprimanded Momii, though members elected not to call for his resignation.

Momii has already apologized for his comments, calling them inappropriate and a personal opinion.

But China and South Korea, from which many of the so-called comfort women came, reacted angrily.

NHK’s board said Momii had made light of his responsibilities as chairman.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe distanced himself from Momii’s comments, telling Japan’s parliament that NHK should be impartial.