"Resume the Korea-Japan Joint Historical Research Committee and Lead Apologies from War Crime Companies"

Korea National Diplomatic Academy Japan Research Center Holds Roundtable
To Succeed in Restored Korea-Japan Shuttle Diplomacy After 12 Years
Joint Korea-Japan Textbook Writing and Narrowing Historical Perception Gaps Needed

It has been diagnosed that in order for Korea-Japan relations, which have warmed through shuttle diplomacy after 12 years, to advance further, the ‘3rd Joint Historical Research Committee’ must be resumed. From a mid- to long-term perspective of historical reconciliation, a practical organization that writes joint textbooks and narrows the historical perception gap between the two countries should be launched.

The Korea-Japan Joint Historical Research Committee was held in 2005 and 2007 as the 1st and 2nd sessions, respectively. Since then, as relations between the two countries cooled amid alternating progressive and conservative administrations, the ‘3rd session’ has not been resumed.

At the press conference of the 5th plenary meeting of the 2nd Korea-Japan Joint History Research Committee held on November 28, 2009, at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, Japanese Chairman Toriu Miyasushi (right) and Korean Chairman Jo Gwang (center) are seen answering reporters' questions.

On the 9th, Shin Gak-su, former ambassador to Japan, who participated as a presenter at the National Diplomatic Academy’s Japan Research Center roundtable on the theme of ‘Prime Minister Kishida’s Visit to Korea and Korea-Japan Relations,’ stated, “It is necessary to respond to historical issues separately from current issues.”

Former Ambassador Shin said, “In the past, similar efforts like the Joint Historical Research Committee were made between Germany and France, and Germany and Poland,” adding, “There is a need for a process that allows Japanese people to properly recognize the history of colonial rule and receive education on it.”

There Is a Precedent in China; Apologies Should Be Obtained from War Crime Companies Such as Mitsubishi

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the forced labor issue, which Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed only ‘personal regret’ about, he mentioned that apologies and reflection from the Japanese defendant companies are also necessary. He said, “There is a precedent where Japanese war crime companies apologized for damages to neighboring countries such as China and Taiwan,” and added, “Since the defendant companies are global corporations, continuing to drag out historical issues is not helpful,” emphasizing that there should be a concrete apology from companies like Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi.

In fact, war crime companies such as Kashima Construction (1990), Nishimatsu Construction (2009), and Mitsubishi Materials (2016) have taken apology measures including apologies and compensation to Chinese forced labor victims, memorial projects, and the construction of reconciliation monuments. Former Ambassador Shin said, “Corporate apologies are possible because of the precedent in China,” and predicted, “It is fully possible through diplomatic efforts and improvement of the atmosphere in Japanese society.”

There was also an interpretation that the perspective on considering China as a key variable in strengthening Korea-Japan cooperation needs to change. Cha Doo-hyun, senior research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, pointed out, “There is a logic that ‘if Korea strengthens cooperation with the U.S. and Japan, China will retaliate.’ This needs to be examined from a mid- to long-term perspective.”

China Should Not Be Seen Only as a Key Variable in Korea-Japan Closeness... Must Overcome Past ‘Victim Mentality’

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Senior Research Fellow Cha emphasized, “Our country’s excessive export dependence on China is a part that requires structural improvement, and even if relations with China are good, it is a problem that needs to be improved.” He explained, “There is a diplomatic solution to reduce China’s criticism by resuming the long-stalled Korea-China-Japan summit meetings and increasing the functionality of the Korea-China-Japan cooperation secretariat.”

Jin Chang-su, director of the Japan Research Center at the Sejong Institute, evaluated the recent Korea-Japan summit, saying, “Japan has carefully brought a method to fill the remaining empty cup.” He said, “Regarding historical issues, in addition to the succession of past cabinets, the Prime Minister expressed that he personally feels heartache. There may be debates on whether to see this as a plus or minus alpha, but we should look at the fact that a clear will to improve Korea-Japan relations was shown in that statement.” Director Jin emphasized that it is time to move from ‘small progress’ to significant progress.

He also said that it is necessary to break away from the ‘victim mentality’ regarding historical issues. Director Jin said, “It is necessary to shift the perspective from being immersed only in historical issues and viewing Japan solely through a victim mentality,” adding, “The time has come for us to regard Japan as an equal partner as we advance to a developed country status. If Japan responds accordingly, historical reconciliation issues will also progress rapidly.”

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