Japan Repeatedly Calls for "Wise Response" from President Moon in New Year's Address

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Regarding President Moon Jae-in's strong will to improve Korea-Japan relations on the condition of Japan's withdrawal of export restrictions, expressed in his New Year's address on the 7th, the Japanese government once again reiterated its position of expecting a 'wise response' from the Korean government on the issue of compensation for forced labor.

According to NHK and other broadcasts, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference held after President Moon's New Year's address, "I will refrain from commenting on every remark made by the head of another country," while expressing this stance. He added, "Our country's (Japan's) position on Korea-Japan issues has not changed at all, and we will continue to demand a wise response from the Korean side."

Secretary Suga has consistently claimed that the Korean Supreme Court's ruling on compensation for forced labor violates the Korea-Japan Claims Agreement concluded in 1965 and that the Korean government should correct this. He repeated the same claim once again.

In his New Year's address, President Moon referred to Korea-Japan relations as "Japan is our closest neighbor," and said, "We will evolve the cooperative relationship between the two countries in a more future-oriented way." He also stated, "If the Japanese government withdraws export restrictions, the bilateral relationship can develop more rapidly." Regarding this, major Japanese media evaluated that although President Moon did not mention the compensation issue for forced labor victims, which is the fundamental cause of Korea-Japan conflicts, he showed enthusiasm for improving bilateral relations.

Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshi Kajiyama also said at a press conference held after the Cabinet meeting on the same day, regarding President Moon's demand for withdrawal of export restrictions, "I will avoid answering with any preconceived notions about the outlook for export controls." Minister Kajiyama said about the schedule for Korea-Japan director-general level meetings, "We are adjusting the next schedule," and added, "I believe that the accumulation of dialogue will lead to the resolution of this situation."

Earlier, the Korean and Japanese governments held a director-general level meeting in Tokyo on December 16 last year. They agreed on the principle of continuing dialogue, but have not yet set the date for the next meeting after deciding to hold it in Seoul.

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