Kishida: "Closely Communicating for the Restoration and Development of Korea-Japan Relations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has emphasized his hope for improving Japan-South Korea relations for two consecutive days.

According to local media such as Kyodo News, Prime Minister Kishida said at a press conference held in Washington DC on the 14th (local time), "We will continue communication to improve relations with South Korea."

He also mentioned in a lecture at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) immediately after a summit meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden the previous day, "We will resolve issues as quickly as possible to restore and develop Japan-South Korea relations in a sound form."

Kishida’s repeated expression of his will to improve Japan-South Korea relations is interpreted as emphasizing his intention to promptly resolve the forced labor issue and restore bilateral relations.

Kishida also stressed the need to respond to threats from North Korea and China. He said, "The lesson from the Ukraine war is that European and Indo-Pacific security are inseparable," adding, "Attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas and North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats are making the environment surrounding Japan increasingly severe."

He shared his strong sense of crisis regarding the East Asian security environment with the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), mentioning in particular China’s increasing unilateralism in waters where Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam are involved in island disputes.

He also reportedly urged the G7 leaders to build a united front against the rising China and aggressive North Korea, warning that East Asia could be the next Ukraine.

Furthermore, Kishida mentioned that he will present his vision for a world without nuclear weapons at the G7 summit to be held in Hiroshima, Japan, in May.

He emphasized, "The world must not take lightly the 77-year history during which no nuclear weapons have been used," and stressed that the G7 must show a strong will to uphold the rule-based international order in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

However, foreign media reported that Kishida did not comment on remarks by Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, who claimed that only seppuku could restore Kishida’s honor, accusing him of subservience to the United States.

He stated that the global economic outlook is becoming increasingly uncertain and that the G7 should consider responses to downside risks. He also said, "Japan and the United States will strive to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including the bilateral alliance, economy, and technology."

Regarding the possibility of a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the G7 summit, Kishida said that there are currently no clear plans.