Proposal to Support Forced Labor Victims Met with "No Interest" from Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary

Suga Yoshihide, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary

Appeared on satellite broadcaster BS Fuji's news program on the 6th and revealed this

Regarding former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn, "We will make every effort to extradite him"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] Suga Yoshihide, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, expressed "no interest" in the proposal put forward by South Korean and Japanese lawyers supporting forced labor victims.

On the 6th, appearing on BS Fuji's news program, when asked about the lawyers' proposal which included contents such as "acknowledgment of human rights violations, apology, and compensation," Suga responded in this manner.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga reiterated the existing claim that the forced labor issue was fully resolved by the 1965 Japan-Korea Claims Agreement, stating, "This treaty is a principle that each country, including the legislative, executive, and judiciary (courts), must follow," and added, "It would be good to firmly uphold that first."

He bluntly stated that the Japanese government has "no restrictions" to impose on South Korea regarding the forced labor issue.

Regarding the possibility that the forced sale (liquidation) of Japanese companies' assets seized under the South Korean Supreme Court ruling may proceed soon, he said, "It is something the Japanese government cannot tolerate."

When the host asked what countermeasures exist against the liquidation, Suga said, "We are cooperating closely with related companies," and added, "The government wants to respond firmly by cooperating closely."

When asked if this means the government will take measures to ensure that Japanese companies whose assets are seized do not suffer actual damage, he replied, "The entire government, including relevant agencies, is implementing such countermeasures to enable a response."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga did not explain the specific details of the countermeasures during the broadcast.

Taro Aso, Japan's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister and a close aide to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, previously mentioned in an interview with a Japanese monthly magazine that "If we take a serious example, there are various methods such as reconsidering trade with South Korea or initiating financial sanctions."

Hiroaki Nakanishi, chairman of Keidanren, one of Japan's three major economic organizations, said in an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun published on the 7th regarding the forced labor issue, "If the South Korean side clarifies its stance as a nation and the direction comes out, concrete actions will be possible."

He referred to the situation where the South Korean side proposed creating a fund as a solution to the forced labor issue, but the plaintiffs are opposing it.

Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga stated on BS Fuji's news program that measures to prevent recurrence are being considered regarding the escape of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn. Suga said, "(His overseas escape) is very regrettable for the government," and added, "It is important to properly investigate the circumstances of the escape and take measures to ensure this does not happen again." He emphasized regarding Ghosn's extradition, "We will make every effort by exercising various diplomatic means."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.