Japan's Kishida's First National Assembly Speech... Only Two Sentences Mention Korea Out of 6,900 Characters

▲Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] On the 8th, as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivered his first parliamentary speech, evaluations emerged that it is difficult to expect an improvement in Korea-Japan relations based solely on the speech.

This is because the 6,900-character speech mentioned Korea in only two sentences.

In his first policy speech at the Japanese parliament that afternoon, Prime Minister Kishida said, "Korea is an important neighboring country," and added, "To restore a sound relationship, we will strongly demand appropriate responses from Korea based on our country's consistent position."

Although he mentioned the importance of Korea, the volume and expressions were both considered insufficient. In particular, the importance of Korea was rated lower than that of then-Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga a year ago.

In October last year, Suga said, "Korea is a very important neighboring country," and added, "To restore sound Korea-Japan relations, we will demand appropriate responses based on our country's consistent position."

Kishida made a similar statement to Suga but omitted the word "very."

However, Suga had already removed "very" in his policy speech to the parliament in January this year, and Kishida seems to have followed that trend.

In October 2019, then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also mentioned, "Korea is an important neighboring country."

▲Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan [Image source=Yonhap News]

About a month and a half after Japan strengthened export controls on Korea as a de facto retaliatory measure over rulings related to forced labor during the Japanese colonial period, Korea expressed its intention not to extend the Korea-Japan General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).

The reappearance of expressions used during the extreme confrontation in the policy speech suggests a perception that it is difficult to expect an improvement in Korea-Japan relations.

Among Japan's major diplomatic counterparts, including the United States, North Korea, China, Russia, and Korea, Korea was mentioned last.

Also, Kishida indicated that the Japanese government's stance on the bilateral conflicts related to Japan's colonial-era acts remains unchanged by saying, "We will strongly demand appropriate responses from Korea based on our country's consistent position."

The "consistent position" refers to the Japanese government's claim that issues such as forced labor during the colonial period were completely resolved by the 1965 Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea.

In particular, regarding the issue of comfort women, the Japanese side perceives that it was fully resolved by the 2015 Korea-Japan Foreign Ministers' Agreement. Kishida was also a party to that agreement.

Last month, during the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, he referred to the comfort women agreement as "an agreement highly praised by the world," and said, "If even this is not upheld, no matter what promises are made for the future, the future will not open. Dialogue is necessary, but Korea should firmly uphold this foundation. The ball is in Korea's court."

Ultimately, Kishida subtly presented the Japanese government's view that "Korea is the one raising issues about matters that have already been settled, and the trials and subsequent procedures regarding these two issues violate international law or agreements between countries."

The Japanese government has demanded that Korea propose solutions to these issues and is interpreted as reaffirming that it will not change this stance.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Korean government is willing to sit down with Japan to find solutions, but Japan maintains the attitude of "Korea should bring solutions that we can accept," resulting in dialogue remaining at a standstill.

This forecasts that the strained Korea-Japan relations formed during the Abe and Suga administrations will continue for the time being.

This observation is also possible considering the current situation of the Kishida administration.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, appointed at the end of the Abe administration, remained in office through the Suga and Kishida administrations.

This is a sign of maintaining the framework of diplomatic policy.

Abe's close aides, such as Akira Amari and Taro Aso, were appointed as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party secretary-general and deputy prime minister, respectively, taking key positions.

It is also difficult to expect easing of export controls as Koichi Hagiuda, who defended far-right historical views, was appointed as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

With the general election at the end of this month and the House of Councillors election next summer approaching, it is difficult for Kishida to risk public backlash by compromising with Korea.

Considering his term, President Moon Jae-in has little time left to directly negotiate with Prime Minister Kishida. The rise of a hardline stance against Japan within Korea during the presidential election campaign cannot be ruled out.

In contrast to his stinginess toward Korea, Kishida strongly expressed his willingness to improve North Korea-Japan relations.

He set goals such as an unconditional meeting with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, comprehensive resolution of abduction, nuclear, and missile issues, clearing the unfortunate past, and establishing diplomatic relations between North Korea and Japan.

However, considering that official dialogue between North Korea and Japan has been virtually cut off, this plan is close to being detached from reality.

It appears to generally follow what Prime Minister Suga mentioned last year.

However, the firm expression, "We can never tolerate North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and missiles," differs from last year.

This is interpreted as reflecting concerns that North Korea's successive development of new weapons has virtually neutralized Japan's interception network.

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