"It's natural that men prefer young women" - Chairman's remarks on maiko recruitment spark controversy

At a press conference to recruit "Morioka Maiko" (apprentice geisha) who will perform dances and Nagauta (traditional Japanese folk songs) at gatherings in Morioka City, comments made by Kunihisa Tanimura, chairman of the Morioka Geisha Support Group, have caused a stir. When asked about the age limit for women to be recruited - 18 to 25 years old - Tanimura said, "It's men who call for geisha, after all. It's only natural that they prefer young…