Mentioning the North Korean Abduction Issue First as a Diplomatic Task
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reiterated his previous stance that South Korea must come up with a solution to the Korea-Japan conflict during his first policy speech on the 18th. Japanese media reported that expressions regarding relations with South Korea were somewhat softened in light of a recent South Korean court ruling ordering compensation for former comfort women.
According to Japan's private broadcaster Fuji News Network (FNN) and others, Prime Minister Suga said in his policy speech marking the opening of Japan's regular Diet session, "The current relationship between the two countries is very serious," and added, "In order to return to a sound relationship, we will strongly demand appropriate responses from the South Korean side based on our country's (Japan's) consistent position."
The Japanese government has repeatedly maintained that related issues were all resolved through the 1965 Korea-Japan Claims Agreement and the 2015 Korea-Japan Foreign Ministers' Agreement on the comfort women issue. He reiterated that South Korea must present a solution to these issues.
In his speech, Prime Minister Suga said, "South Korea is an important neighboring country." In an October speech at the Diet last year, he described South Korea as a "very important neighboring country," but it appears he changed the expression in consideration of recent rulings on the comfort women issue.
Prime Minister Suga first mentioned the abduction issue of Japanese citizens by North Korea as a diplomatic task concerning neighboring countries. He stated, "Regarding the abduction issue, which is the most important task of the administration, I myself will take the lead and work closely with related countries including the United States with all my efforts," and added, "There is no change in my determination to meet directly with Chairman Kim Jong-un (North Korean State Affairs Commission) unconditionally, and based on the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, we aim to comprehensively resolve various issues such as abductions, nuclear weapons, and missiles, and to normalize diplomatic relations by clearing up the unfortunate past."
Regarding China, Prime Minister Suga said, "A stable Japan-China relationship is important not only for both countries but also for the regional and international community," and added, "Although there are various issues between the two countries, we will utilize opportunities for high-level (dialogue), assert what needs to be asserted, and strongly demand concrete actions." He further stated that despite these circumstances, cooperation will continue to solve common challenges.
Regarding the United States, Prime Minister Suga reiterated the existing position that the Japan-US alliance is the "cornerstone of Japan's diplomacy and security, as well as the foundation for freedom, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the international community," and stated, "I will meet with President-elect Joe Biden at an early date to further strengthen the unity between Japan and the United States."
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