Japanese Media: "Moon's Liberation Day Speech Does Not Specifically Address Solutions to Korea-Japan Historical Issues"

▲President Moon Jae-in delivering the Liberation Day congratulatory address [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Major Japanese media outlets unanimously reported on the 15th that President Moon Jae-in did not specifically mention solutions to historical issues between Korea and Japan in his speech commemorating the 76th Liberation Day.

Kyodo News reported that President Moon, whose term expires in May next year, said in his final Liberation Day speech, "The door to dialogue (between Korea and Japan) is always open," and "We will resolve issues through actions and practices that align with the universal values and standards of the international community," but there was no specific mention of solutions to historical issues between Korea and Japan.

The Yomiuri Shimbun also pointed out in its online article that President Moon did not make individual references to the forced labor and comfort women issues.

However, the newspaper noted that President Moon expressed enthusiasm for improving bilateral relations by stating, "I hope that Korea and Japan will pool their wisdom to overcome difficulties together and set an example of neighborly cooperation."

Yomiuri interpreted President Moon's statement, "We will resolve historical issues that need to be corrected through actions and practices that align with the universal values and standards of the international community," as indicating a commitment to a "victim-centered approach," suggesting that he expects concessions from the Japanese side.

The Mainichi Shimbun pointed out that President Moon did not specifically mention solutions to historical issues but reiterated the recognition that these are challenges both Korea and Japan must overcome together by saying, "Korea and Japan must pool their wisdom to overcome difficulties together."

The Asahi Shimbun reported that President Moon avoided criticism by emphasizing dialogue with Japan, as he did last year.

However, it added that he did not specifically mention the forced labor and comfort women issues, which are the main factors worsening bilateral relations.

Asahi also noted that President Moon had planned to visit Japan to attend the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony and hold talks with Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide but postponed the visit after judging that the talks would be unproductive due to Japan's refusal to lift export restrictions. It forecasted that during the remaining nine months of his term, President Moon would seek Korea-Japan summits on the occasion of international conferences.

NHK also reported that President Moon showed a positive stance toward Korea-Japan dialogue but did not specifically mention the forced labor issue.

NHK forecasted that it would be difficult for Korea-Japan relations to improve during President Moon's remaining term, as the Japanese government demands appropriate responses from the Korean government regarding these issues.