inane
「意味のない，ばかげた」を意味するinaneはラテン語（inānis）由来のとても強いことばです（"very stupid or without much meaning"--LDOCE）。ここではinsaneやthe real crimeという表現と一緒に用いられていることにも注目してください。（UG）
Hashimoto’s ‘inane’ remarks hurt Japan, play into China’s hands: Armitage
Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage was critical Thursday of Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto’s recent remarks about Japan’s wartime system of military brothels, noting such actions were “harmful” to Japan’s image.
“The real crime in this is this is at such odds . . . with the Japan of the last 70 years, a Japan which has been a paragon of protection of human rights and human freedoms,” Armitage said at a Tokyo forum. “To make these comments, to me, is inane.”
Hashimoto said earlier this month that Japanese military brothels during the war were necessary to maintain discipline, sparking anger in South Korea.
Facing strong criticism at home and abroad, Hashimoto sought to clarify his comments to the foreign media Monday in Tokyo, saying he did not personally view the “comfort women,” Japan’s euphemism for victims described as sex slaves, as necessary but was merely describing the thinking at the time.
