Japan Cabinet Office: "G7 Korea-Japan Leaders' Informal Meeting Unilateral Cancellation? Not True"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Kato Katsunobu, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, denied the statement by a South Korean official that Japan and South Korea had agreed to hold a brief summit meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit but that Japan unilaterally canceled it, NHK reported on the 14th.

According to the report, Kato said at a regular press conference that afternoon, "I am aware of the reports regarding the unilateral cancellation, but they are not only contrary to the facts but also unilateral claims. I immediately lodged a protest with the South Korean side," he said.

Earlier, diplomatic circles had analyzed that Japan unilaterally canceled the summit meeting, using the South Korean military's Dokdo defense drill scheduled for the 15th near Dokdo as a pretext. Kato denied this and reiterated regarding Dokdo, "Considering that Dokdo (Takeshima) is clearly Japan's inherent territory both historically and under international law, I cannot accept such claims."