"Steadily Develop the Future"
Next Year Marks 60th Anniversary of Korea-Japan Diplomatic Relations, Need to Broaden Bilateral Ties
Newly appointed Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya described Japan-South Korea relations on the 2nd as a "very important bilateral relationship" and expressed his desire to "steadily develop it toward the future."
At his first press conference on the afternoon of the same day, Minister Iwaya, who took office the previous day, responded to questions about Japan-South Korea relations by saying, "I am convinced that close cooperation between Japan and South Korea is not only in the mutual interest of both countries but also leads to stability and prosperity in the East Asian region."
Minister Iwaya is a close aide of newly appointed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and served as the head of the Ishiba camp’s election headquarters during last month’s Liberal Democratic Party presidential election.
Regarding Japan-South Korea relations, Minister Iwaya evaluated, "Although there were many difficult issues at one time, relations were dramatically restored between President Yoon Suk-yeol and former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida." He added, "I want to steadily develop this toward the future," emphasizing, "Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea, and I want to make bilateral relations solid and broad."
He referred to the Japan-South Korea patrol aircraft issue that occurred during his tenure as Defense Minister from 2018 to 2019, saying, "We have overcome that and have been able to engage in exchanges and cooperation between the defense authorities of Japan and South Korea," and added, "I want to further strengthen relations at various levels between the two countries."
He also expressed his stance on strengthening trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States, and South Korea. In his opening remarks at the press conference, Minister Iwaya stated regarding the new government of Shigeru Ishiba’s diplomatic policy, "We will continue to make the Japan-US alliance the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomatic and security policy, further evolve the alliance, and strengthen deterrence and response capabilities." He continued, "To realize a 'free and open Indo-Pacific,' we will work together with the United States, South Korea, Australia, India, ASEAN, Europe, and others to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law."
Furthermore, he added, "We will firmly address the greatly improved Japan-South Korea relations based on the trust between former Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon, as well as the significant progress made in trilateral cooperation at the historic US Camp David (Japan-US-South Korea) summit last August."
Regarding the issue of abductees, he explained, "Resolving the abduction issue is one of the most important tasks under the Ishiba administration." He also said about the establishment of mutual liaison offices in Pyongyang and Tokyo, pledged by Prime Minister Ishiba, "The liaison office is one of various ideas, and the entire government will examine what is realistic and most effective."
Minister Iwaya, who served as Defense Minister during the Japan-South Korea patrol aircraft issue in December 2018 and had conflicts with South Korea at that time, emphasized the importance of security cooperation with South Korea before his resignation as Defense Minister in September 2019, stating, "Although Japan and South Korea face various diplomatic issues, the Japan-South Korea and Japan-US-South Korea alliances are very important in terms of security."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
