Japanese Media: "Early Visit to Korea Driven by Prime Minister Kishida's Determination"... Summit Meeting Tomorrow

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's early visit to South Korea is the result of Kishida's own will, Japanese media reported on the 6th. Breaking the expectation that Kishida would visit South Korea this summer, he will make an early visit tomorrow (7th).

The Sankei Shimbun reported, "Within the Japanese government, a summer visit was also discussed, but Prime Minister Kishida insisted on an early visit."

Sankei explained the reason, saying, "If the visit is postponed until after summer, President Yoon Suk-yeol will consecutively visit Japan again to attend the expanded Group of Seven (G7) summit (to be held from the 19th to 21st in Hiroshima, Japan) following his March visit."

Sankei analyzed that Kishida's intention is to respond to President Yoon's decision to restore Korea-Japan relations despite public opinion and opposition party backlash.

Sankei predicted that at the Korea-Japan summit on the 7th, historical recognition will not be a major agenda item, and the focus will be on common interests such as strengthening cooperation on North Korea response and economic security.

The Yomiuri Shimbun also reported that at the Korea-Japan summit, the two leaders are expected to share a commitment to strengthening cooperation on economic security and North Korea's nuclear and missile issues.

Additionally, Yomiuri noted that how Prime Minister Kishida will convey Japan's position regarding the succession of historical recognition by past cabinets is also a focal point.

Prime Minister Kishida announced in March, in response to the South Korean government's announcement on the forced labor issue, that he will comprehensively inherit the historical recognition of past cabinets, including the "Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration."