Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary: "We Want to Maintain Communication Between Korea-Japan Diplomatic Authorities"

Kato Katsunobu, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Amid the failure of President Moon Jae-in's visit to Japan, which was planned around the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the Japanese government has expressed its intention to maintain communication between the diplomatic authorities of South Korea and Japan.

Kato Katsunobu, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, responded on the morning of the 20th at a regular press conference to a question regarding the failure of President Moon's visit by saying, "We want to maintain communication between the diplomatic authorities in order to restore South Korea-Japan relations to a healthy state."

Secretary Kato reiterated the existing position, stating, "South Korea-Japan relations are in a very difficult situation due to issues such as the former Korean Peninsula laborers (forced labor under Japanese rule) and the comfort women issue," and added, "It is important for South Korea to take responsibility and respond to resolve the pending issues between the two countries."

He said, "Based on Japan's consistent position, we intend to continue demanding appropriate responses from South Korea."

When asked whether the inappropriate remarks made by Soma Hirohisa, Minister in charge at the Embassy of Japan in South Korea, influenced the failure of President Moon's visit to Japan, he replied, "The Japanese government is not in a position to answer the background behind President Moon's decision not to visit Japan."

Earlier, Minister Soma caused controversy after it was revealed that he disparaged President Moon's efforts to improve South Korea-Japan relations using sexual expressions during a conversation with a reporter from a broadcasting station.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide commented on Minister Soma's remarks, saying, "It was an extremely inappropriate remark for a diplomat and regrettable." However, it has been reported that the Japanese government has not yet decided whether to dismiss Minister Soma.

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