Asahi: "Korea-Japan Relations Must Improve Due to COVID-19"... Urges Abe to Withdraw Export Restrictions

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese Asahi Shimbun argued that Korea and Japan need to improve their relations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and urged the Abe Shinz? Cabinet to withdraw export restrictions.

The progressive-leaning Asahi conveyed this in an editorial titled "COVID-19 and Korea-Japan: Using the Crisis as a Stepping Stone for Cooperation" on the 13th. Asahi called on the Moon Jae-in administration to "make bold decisions in its policy toward Japan during the remaining term," and urged the Abe Cabinet to immediately lift the trade (export) restrictions imposed on Korea last year and improve Korea-Japan relations.

The newspaper evaluated that Korea prepared countermeasures based on the system established during the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, and that Korea's experience and measures in responding to COVID-19 have become important examples for the international community, including Japan. However, it diagnosed that there is a "lack of noticeable cooperation and a continued regrettable situation" between the two countries.

Asahi further pointed out, "There is a movement in Korea to send medical supplies to Japan. However, the Korean government cannot ignore opposition movements by some citizens," and "The Japanese government also maintains a cautious stance toward requesting support from Korea." The newspaper cited historical issues and the ongoing conflicts stemming from them as one of the backgrounds hindering Korea-Japan cooperation.

Asahi stated that there is no time to be caught up in futile disputes amid the COVID-19 crisis, arguing that "Both governments should avoid politicizing quarantine issues. They must overcome the crisis by sharing information and mutually exchanging supplies without being bound by pride." It added, "We hope this crisis will rather serve as an opportunity to reset Korea-Japan relations" and "that such wisdom will be devised."

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