"First Step to Improving Korea-Japan Relations" Japanese Media Praises Yoon Delegation

The Korea-Japan Policy Consultation Delegation posed for a commemorative photo with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno at the Japanese Prime Minister's Official Residence on the 26th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the Korea-Japan Policy Consultation Delegation dispatched by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol to Japan returned home on the 28th after a 4-night, 5-day schedule, Japanese media evaluated their efforts as having opened the way for improving Korea-Japan relations.

The Tokyo Shimbun mentioned that the delegation met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the 26th and said, "Both Korea and Japan have taken the first step toward improving relations."

The newspaper quoted an official from the Prime Minister's Office saying that Prime Minister Kishida's acceptance of the delegation's meeting was "an acknowledgment of the counterpart (Korea) who came with their own intention to improve relations," and added, "Strengthening Korea-Japan cooperation is a critical task amid rising military tensions in East Asia."

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun also expressed hope in an editorial titled "The Resolution Shown by the Leaders for Improving Korea-Japan Relations" that the delegation's visit to Japan would be "the first step to escape the long tunnel of deteriorated Korea-Japan relations."

Regarding historical issues such as the Japanese military comfort women and forced mobilization during the Japanese colonial period, the Tokyo Shimbun reported, "There is no prospect of resolving these issues, and distrust of the Japanese side toward the Korean government runs deep." It was reported that Prime Minister Kishida and the delegation exchanged opinions at a fundamental level on these matters during their meeting on the 26th.

The Tokyo Shimbun emphasized that "restoring trust through an early summit meeting will be important," citing President-elect Yoon's inauguration ceremony and U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Korea and Japan from May 20 to 24 as opportunities for a Korea-Japan summit.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun urged, "It is necessary to continue dialogue between the two countries to achieve early results after the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration on May 10," and called for "Japan to provide wise support for the new Korean government's bold response."

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