Latest news with #JapanSouthKoreaRelations
Japan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Ishiba thanks outgoing South Korean envoy
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday expressed his appreciation to outgoing South Korean Ambassador to Japan Park Cheol-hee for his contributions to improving relations between Japan and South Korea. During their meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, Park said he hopes that cooperation between the two countries will continue under the administration of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who took office last month. The ambassador also said he hopes that the leaders of both countries will engage in "shuttle diplomacy," or mutual visits, more frequently. "Japan and South Korea are important neighbors that should cooperate as partners in tackling challenges facing the international community," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a news conference the same day. "The two governments will continue their close communication so that Japan-South Korea ties advance stably," the top Japanese government spokesman said.
Washington Post
22-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Japan and South Korea mark 60 years of ties despite lingering tension and political uncertainty
TOKYO — Japan and South Korea are marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations Sunday. The two Asian powers, rivals and neighbors, have often had little to celebrate, much of their rancor linked to Japan's brutal colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century. Things have gotten better in recent years, but both nations — each a strong ally of the United States — now face political uncertainty and a growing unease about the future of their ties. Here's a look at one of Northeast Asia's most crucial relationships, from both capitals, by two correspondents from The Associated Press. South Korea's new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung , is determined to break sharply from the policies of his disgraced predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol , who now faces a trial on charges of leading an insurrection over his imposition of martial law in December. Relations with Japan, however, are one area where Lee, who describes himself as a pragmatist in foreign policy, may find himself cautiously building on Yoon's approach. Before his removal from office in April, the conservative former president tried to repair relations with Japan. Yoon wanted to also tighten the countries' three-way security cooperation with Washington to counter North Korean nuclear threats. In 2023, Yoon announced a South Korea-funded compensation plan for colonial-era forced laborers. That decision caused a strong backlash from victims and their supporters, who had demanded direct payments from Japanese companies and a fresh apology from Tokyo. Yoon's outreach boosted tourism and business ties, but there's still lingering resentment in South Korea that Japan failed to reciprocate Seoul's diplomatic concession by addressing historical grievances more sincerely. While advocating for pragmatism and problem-solving in foreign policy, Lee has also long criticized Japan for allegedly clinging to its imperialist past and blamed that for hurting cooperation between the countries. Some experts say the stability of the countries' improved ties could soon be tested, possibly around the Aug. 15 anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II, when Lee is expected to publicly address the nation's painful history with Japan. Some in Seoul want Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to mark the anniversary with a stronger statement of remorse over Japan's wartime past to put bilateral ties on firmer ground. While wartime history will always linger in the background of Seoul-Tokyo relations, Lee and Ishiba may face a more immediate concern: U.S. President Donald Trump's rising tariffs and other America-first trade policies. South Korea's Hankyoreh newspaper in an editorial this week called for South Korea and Japan to 'collaborate immediately' on a joint response to Trump's policies, arguing that the proposed U.S. tariffs on automobiles pose similar threats to both countries' trade-dependent economies. Ishiba, eager to improve ties with Seoul, has acknowledged Japan's wartime aggression and has shown more empathy to Asian victims than his recent predecessors. His first encounter with Lee seemed positive, despite worries in Japan about South Korea's stance under a liberal leader known for attacks on Japan's wartime past. Lee, in that meeting with Ishiba at the G7, likened the two countries to 'neighbors sharing the same front yard' and called for building a future-oriented relationship that moves beyond their 'small differences and disagreements.' Ishiba and Lee agreed to closely communicate and to cooperate on a range of issues, including North Korea's nuclear and missile development. Under a 1965 normalization treaty, Japan provided $500 million in economic assistance to South Korea, saying all wartime compensation issues were settled. However, historical issues including forced labor and sexual abuse of Korean women during the war have disrupted ties over the decades, while South Korea has become an Asian power and a rival to Japan, and while Tokyo, especially during the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 's rule, has promoted revisionist views. Japan has since offered atonement money twice for the so-called 'comfort women,' an earlier semi-private fund and a second one unilaterally dissolved by former South Korean President Moon Jae-in's liberal government. Things have improved in recent years, and Japan is watching to see whether Lee sticks with his conservative predecessor's more conciliatory diplomacy or returns to the confrontation that marked previous liberal governments. Cooperation between the two sides is 'more essential than ever' to overcome their shared problems such as worsening regional security and Trump's tariffs that have shaken free trade systems, Japan's largest-circulation newspaper Yomiuri said in a recent editorial. At a 60th anniversary reception in Tokyo, Ishiba said that he sees 'a bright future' in the relationship. He expressed hope also for cooperation in 'common challenges' such as low birth rates and declining populations. ___ Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea.
Japan Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Ishiba calls for expanding Japan-South Korea exchanges
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has called for expanding exchanges between Japan and South Korea as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries. "We want to pass on the baton of exchanges we have nurtured to the next generation while further broadening the scope of Japan-South Korea cooperation," Ishiba said in a speech at a reception hosted by the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday to commemorate the anniversary. Ishiba said that he had very good discussions with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung when they met in Canada on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit. "As the strategic environment surrounding Japan and South Korea is becoming increasingly severe, let's take a new step toward a better future hand in hand," the prime minister stressed. Meanwhile, South Korean Ambassador to Japan Park Cheol-hee said that the bilateral relations have continuously deepened despite twists and turns in the past. Park called for further developing the friendly relations and continuing the efforts to make them sustainable. The reception was also attended by Fumio Kishida and Yoshihide Suga, both former prime ministers. Suga currently serves as head of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union.
Bloomberg
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Japan's Ishiba And Korea's Lee Hold First In-Person Talks at G-7
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held their first in-person talks, according to the Japanese government, in what was likely to be an early indication of the direction of future relations between the two countries. The two leaders gathered on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in the Canadian Rockies, building on a dialogue that began with a phone call about a week ago. Lee became president after winning a June 3 vote triggered by the ouster of his conservative predecessor.
NHK
16-06-2025
- Business
- NHK
S.Korea's Lee calls Japan key partner in message to mark 60 years of ties
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has called his country and Japan "key partners" in a message to an event marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties. Japan's embassy in Seoul hosted the commemorative event on Monday. About 1,000 people, including government officials and business representatives from both countries, were invited. Nagashima Akihisa, a special advisor to Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, and South Korean Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Ji-na were among the attendees. Japan's Ambassador to South Korea Mizushima Koichi said at the event that Japan-South Korea relations stand at a "new starting point" as the countries mark 60 years of diplomatic ties. Mizushima said he hopes the two countries will join hands and move toward a better future. President Lee, who took office earlier this month, sent in a video message to the event as he was heading to Canada to attend the Group of Seven summit. Lee said in the message that he hopes that the two countries will continue to develop a stable and future-oriented relationship. Lee described Japan and South Korea as key partners that should cooperate closely in responding to a rapidly changing global landscape. The event also featured a tea ceremony and a sake tasting booth to allow participants to experience Japanese culture.
