Japanese Prime Minister: "No Decision Made on Korea-Japan Summit at This Time"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Josel Gina] Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting New York, USA to attend the United Nations General Assembly, stated on the 22nd (local time) that "nothing has been decided at this point" regarding the possibility of holding an official Korea-Japan summit in the future.

At a press conference in New York that day, Prime Minister Kishida made this remark about the possibility of holding an official summit with President Yoon Seok-yeol, whom he briefly met the day before. He said, "We will restore Korea-Japan relations to a healthy state and continue communication with the Korean side based on the consistent position of the Japanese government."

This statement is interpreted as reflecting some public opinion in Japan that Korea must first resolve the issue of compensation for forced labor, which is considered the biggest issue in bilateral relations, in order to hold an official summit.

On the same day, Prime Minister Kishida reaffirmed his willingness to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Regarding Japan-China relations, he said, "Communication is important," and added, "I want to maintain an open attitude toward dialogue with China."

Along with this, Prime Minister Kishida announced that the daily cap on the number of foreign entrants, introduced after the spread of COVID-19, will be lifted from November 11. Visa-free entry for foreign tourists and individual travel will also be allowed. The strategy is to leverage the benefits of the weak yen to attract tourism demand in autumn and winter, thereby linking it to economic stimulus. Kishida also said, "We will support the lodging and travel industries that have suffered due to the impact of COVID-19."

The comprehensive economic measures to be finalized in October will also include countermeasures against high inflation. When asked about the biggest discussion point at the extraordinary Diet session convened in October, Kishida answered, "How to protect people's livelihoods and economic activities."

Regarding the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) intervention in the foreign exchange market by purchasing yen the day before, he emphasized, "We want to take necessary measures firmly against excessive fluctuations." On the previous day in the Tokyo foreign exchange market, the yen's value fell to its lowest level in 24 years, reaching 145.89 yen per dollar at one point during trading. However, after the BOJ's intervention, the yen's value sharply rebounded, recovering to the 140 yen per dollar range.

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