NYT "Experts Say Abe's Successor Will Seek to Improve Korea-Japan Relations"

The Longer the Korea-Japan Dispute Lasts, the Only Beneficiaries Are China and North Korea
"Whoever Succeeds Will Face Tremendous Challenges"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Foreign experts have predicted that the successor to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will seek to improve Korea-Japan relations.

Earlier, Prime Minister Abe had abruptly announced his resignation citing health reasons.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 29th (local time) in an article analyzing the domestic and international challenges facing Abe's successor, stating, "Experts say Japan's next prime minister will take measures to resolve the strained relationship with South Korea."

Lauren Richardson, a professor of international relations at the Australian National University, told the NYT, "The longer the Korea-Japan disputes over forced labor compensation rulings and trade wars continue, the more the alliance in Northeast Asia weakens, and the only beneficiaries are China and North Korea."

She added, "Both South Korea and Japan can benefit from maintaining a regional liberal democratic rule of law order, and China strongly resists this. However, with the weakening of the U.S. posture in the region, neither South Korea nor Japan can confront China on their own."

In particular, the U.S. is even less able to pay attention to Asia as it is focused on the upcoming November presidential election and responding to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.

The NYT noted that whoever becomes Abe's successor will face tremendous challenges in many areas, including ▲ COVID-19 response ▲ Japan's long-term economic stagnation ▲ China's military expansion ▲ the postponed Tokyo Olympics hosting decision ▲ and the U.S. presidential election.

In the mid to long term, the successor will face issues such as increasing women's political participation and employment, work-life balance for male workers, low birthrate and aging population, North Korean missile threats, and deteriorated Korea-Japan relations, the NYT reported.

Furthermore, the NYT pointed out that the successor will confront these numerous problems without the recognition and stature that Abe built over nearly eight years in power.

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