politics

Japan, South Korea renew ties at Tokyo summit

47 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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The opposition Democratic party announced they would press charges against Yoon for his crimes committed in Japan once they take back presidency.

Any agreement that Yoon has made with Japan is null and void as far as the Democratic party is concerned.

-23 ( +7 / -30 )

Any agreement that Yoon has made with Japan is null and void as far as the Democratic party is concerned.

Sounds very rational and democratic of them.

7 ( +14 / -7 )

Two of world's aging and shrinking population country get together.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/03/research-shows-increase-korea-ageing-population/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/23/japans-ageing-population-poses-urgent-risk-to-society-says-pm

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Thank you China, Thank you Russia, for bringing these two long lost brothers back together again.

18 ( +24 / -6 )

@Strangerland

Sounds very rational and democratic of them.

This is actually working, believe or not.

Out of 15 companies that received the 1965 treaty funds, 14 said they had no plans to contribute to Yoon's fund, only POSCO agreed to contribute $4 million.

This is due to the threat of the Democratic party holding company executives criminally liable for embezzlement if they donated to Yoon's fund, and remember that the Democratic party is the supermajority party in control of the Parliament, plus Yoon's low approval rating which means a certain regime change in the next presidential election.

-24 ( +6 / -30 )

This is actually working, believe or not.

Yes, Korea/Japan relations are just dandy, right?

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Whats interesting to me is how for the last 20 years I’ve been back here, usually both governments have been driving wedges, and using the media to demonize the other.

Now suddenly we and Korea are mending things and playing all nice?

It seems that Japan and Korea need each other a lot more now.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

@obladi

It’s the only way forward because big brother is too big to handle alone..

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Did we read the same article? The only mention of China by these two leaders is a call to restart regular 3 party dialog with China.

Thank you China ...for bringing these two long lost brothers back together again.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

It’s like a bad marriage in which both partners remain together. They don’t like each other much but they still need each other.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Hm, some pessimists in this comment section…; why wouldn’t you want these two great nations to be united(?); why not support and welcome President Yoon(?); if he has his heart in the right place, he has my full support…; not only because WE need to stand up against these bullies that are trying to intimidate us but also because the people of Japan and SK are tired of lies and hate…; friendship and harmony… that’s what WE need.

..

“ The summit could revise the strategic map of northeast Asia. The two United States allies, who have long often been at odds over their history, are seeking to form a united front, driven by shared concerns about a restive North Korea and a more powerful China.

Washington will welcome better Japan-South Korea ties, as feuding over historical issues has undermined a U.S. push to reinforce its alliances in Asia. The three countries began joint anti-submarine warfare drills Thursday. “

This.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

The opposition Democratic party announced they would press charges against Yoon for his crimes committed in Japan once they take back presidency.

Any agreement that Yoon has made with Japan is null and void as far as the Democratic party is concerned.

Why don't the Democratic party and Korean media just agitate the angry 65% populace, let them hold candles and drag Yoon down then? LOL

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Great nations? Oh dear.

Petulant babies, more like.

-17 ( +2 / -19 )

Congratulations, PEACE brings Hope, Prosperity, and most of all Happiness.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

Good initiative

12 ( +15 / -3 )

its just all bout images and cheap talk and phrases.

sushi were good.

real results of visits are as same as always-none.

i dont expect any change in decades to come.

its about mental settings of both nations and hidden hate/racism/nationalism at both sides.

one pricey dinner with Fumio in Tokyo cant make any impact on that.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

The pic looks like my house! Food and all!!!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Russia China & North Korea must be sad. Things are not turning out the way they planned. They did not think Japan and South Korea would ever become friendly with each other and join America in the fight against the evil in this neighborhood.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Whats interesting to me is how for the last 20 years I’ve been back here, usually both governments have been driving wedges, and using the media to demonize the other.

Now suddenly we and Korea are mending things and playing all nice?

It seems that Japan and Korea need each other a lot more now.

Yes suddenly the media is cultivating a fuzzy feel good atmosphere in conjunction with both governments setting up nice intimate photos, yesterday's article about Yoon‘s love for Japanese omurice etc. , coincides with the fact that both are pro-US... of course this has all occurred naturally with no thought having been given to manipulating public opinion lol

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Kishida is awful.

All he's done since he came to power is wine and dine guests, and travel abroad on the taxpayers dime

Awful

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

That's complete editorializing. Show a quote of Yoon saying anything remotely like that statement.

The summit could revise the strategic map of northeast Asia. The two United States allies, who have long often been at odds over their history, are seeking to form a united front

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The opposition Democratic party announced they would press charges against Yoon for his crimes committed in Japan once they take back presidency.

What crimes are these? Please be specific and reference the ROK criminal code(s) violated.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

After his arrival Thursday, Yoon attended a reception hosted by the Korean Residents’ Union in Japan. Hundreds of thousands of ethnic Korean residents of Japan, many of them descendants of those forcibly brought there during the war, called for better ties as relations affect their lives.

No. Most of them are descendants of those who had came to Japan on their own free will and decided to stay in Japan on their own free will as Japan Life were far better than over there. Most of those forcibly conscripted (99.75%) had already returned to the peninsula long time ago.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Good to see this. SKorea and Japan really should be close allies since they have so many overlapping interests that can be furthered by having a friendly, mutual relationship. They're so similar in so many ways. Hope this momentum continues.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

No. Most of them are descendants of those who had came to Japan on their own free will and decided to stay in Japan on their own free will as Japan Life were far better than over there.

Not even close to true. Those Koreans were forcibly brought to Japan to work in mines and factories when wartime losses created manpower shortages for industry. Stop whitewashing Japan's WWII barbarities!

5 ( +9 / -4 )

@Desert Tortoise

What crimes are these?

1) Obstruction of Justice

2) Failure to uphold constitution by refusing to carry out the final ruling of the Supreme Court.

3) Treason by the failure to sternly warn Kishida that the Liancourt Rocks is non-negotiable during the summit, thereby aiding and abetting the enemy.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

3) This is the most serious charge against Yoon and Yoon aids are desperately denying it as it can immediately trigger an impeachment proceeding.

4) Illegally pressuring government owned corporations to make donations to his 3rd party forced labor compensation fund. President Park was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a similar crime.

Yoon definitely needs to seek an asylum on his last day in office and Japan owes an asylum to Yoon.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

After his arrival Thursday, Yoon attended a reception hosted by the Korean Residents’ Union in Japan. Hundreds of thousands of ethnic Korean residents of Japan, many of them descendants of those forcibly brought there during the war, called for better ties as relations affect their lives.

Thank you to Korean residents of Japan. Improving relations between Japan and South Korea Will 100% have a positive impact on your life's as well, not just about economy and security.

In any future Korean conflict, many more Koreans will end up in Japan as refugees. Japan will also end up sending Billions in weapons,aid,food,water,supplies, including direct Japanese involvement by the SDF, Japan will end up paying a lot more then you realize! A lot more then Koreans back in Korea could ever Understand!

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

@ReasonandWisdomNippon

In any future Korean conflict, many more Koreans will end up in Japan as refugees. 

Why? It would all be over in 2 weeks.

including direct Japanese involvement by the SDF

The ROK policy against the SDF is to turn around and open fire, since 1950. SDF is not allowed anywhere around the territorial space of Korea, this includes North Korea or will be fired upon.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

All in all, this is a pretty good photo.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The pic looks like my house! Food and all!!!

maybe where you work..

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

This is good. China please shut up.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@Desert

No. Most of them are descendants of those who had came to Japan on their own free will and decided to stay in Japan on their own free will as Japan Life were far better than over there.

Not even close to true. Those Koreans were forcibly brought to Japan to work in mines and factories when wartime losses created manpower shortages for industry. Stop whitewashing Japan's WWII barbarities!

Sure not even close to true by anti-Japan tribalists' fabrications which seem heavily affecting your basic knowledge. You should take a note that SK education mix all those Koreans who came to Japan up as forcibly conscripted labor force, which is damn wrong.

Koreans came across the sea to Japan on their own free will even before Japan started job recruitments in 1939. Of those net increase of around 1 million Korean populace in Japan between 1939-1945, 70% were individually and personally traveled to Japan. Most of the remaining 30% were those who raised their hands to apply for job recruitments. Those who were forcibly conscripted by mobilization(conscription) law were few in number. Forced conscription law was applied to Koreans only for 7months between 1944.9~1945.3

Most of those Koreans returned home when Wars( Both WW2 and Korean War) were over and by so-called joint return campaign.

As of 1959 July, total number of Korean residents registered in Japan was about 610,000, of those, total number of Koreans who came to Japan being forcibly conscripted by war time mobilization law was only 245.

朝日新聞 1959年7月13日版

大半、自由意思で居住

外務省、在日朝鮮人で発表

戦時徴用は245人

在日朝鮮人の北朝鮮帰還をめぐって韓国側などで「在日朝鮮人の大半は戦時中に日本政府が強制労働をさせるためにつれてきたもので、いまでは不要になったため送還するのだ」との趣旨の中傷を行なっているのに対し、外務省はこのほど「在日朝鮮人の引揚に関するいきさつ」について発表した。これによれば在日朝鮮人の総数は約六十一万人だが、このうち戦時中に徴用労務者として日本に来た者は二百四十五人にすぎないとされている。主な内容は次の通り。

一、戦前(昭和十四年)に日本内地に住んでいた朝鮮人は約百万人で、終戦直前(昭和二十年)には約二百万人となった。増加した百万人のうち、七十万人は自分から進んで内地に職を求めてきた個別渡航者と、その間の出生によるものである。残りの三十万人は大部分、工鉱業、土木事業の募集に応じて来た者で、戦時中の国民徴用令による徴用労務者はごく少数である。また、国民徴用令は日本内地では昭和十四年七月に実施されたが、朝鮮への適用はさしひかえ、昭和十九年九月に実施されており、朝鮮人徴用労務者が導入されたのは、翌年三月の下関-釜山間の運航が止るまでのわずか七ヵ月間であった。

一、終戦後、昭和二十年八月から翌年三月まで、希望者が政府の配給、個別引揚げで合計百四十万人が帰還したほか、北朝鮮へは昭和二十一年三月、連合国の指令に基く北朝鮮引揚計画で三百五十人が帰還するなど、終戦時までに在日していた者のうち、七五%が帰還している。戦時中に来日した労務者、復員軍人、軍属などは日本内地になじみが薄いため終戦後、残留した者はごく少数である。現在、登録されている在日朝鮮人は総計六十一万人で、関係各省で来日の事情を調査した結果、戦時中に徴用労務者としてきた者は二百四十五人にすぎず、現在、日本に居住している者は犯罪者を除き、自由意思によって在留した者である。

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Desert TortoiseToday  11:27 am JST

No. Most of them are descendants of those who had came to Japan on their own free will and decided to stay in Japan on their own free will as Japan Life were far better than over there.

Not even close to true. Those Koreans were forcibly brought to Japan to work in mines and factories when wartime losses created manpower shortages for industry. Stop whitewashing Japan's WWII barbarities!

Wrong DT. After Japan annexed Korea in 1910 there was a contnued migration of Koreans to Japan, as they had been given Japanese citizenship and there was more work and money to be made. Same reasons people emigrate everywhere. The decendants of those Koreans are the basis of the Zainichi Koreans in Japan. They are many generations in Japan and some today don't even speak Korean. Told you to stick to military stuff if you want to retain credibility.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Awa no GaijinToday  01:08 pm JST

You seem to conveniently forget which countries were fighting Japan during ww2.

Do YOU know? Korea was part of the Japanese Empire in WWII. Many Koreans were convicted as Class B and C War Criminals at the Allied run Tokyo Trials, and one korean General was convicted as a Class A War Criminal and executed,

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

lol. Looking at the comments section, one can quickly surmise a few points:

-Those here who habitually run defense for the Russians on this site...they're not happy with this!

-Those here who habitually play down China's aggression throughout Asia...they're not happy with this!

Everyone else? Encouraged and even excited that two neighbors, economic powerhouses whose generations-long squabbling has always been to the detriment of both, are now moving towards detente and even mutually-beneficial cooperation. Seems obvious that this is a good development to the sane people of the world. For the cheerleaders of Chinese chauvinism or Russian aggression and brutality, though? lol. Not so much!

The walls are closing in on y'all, China and Russia! The world has awakened to the reality of aggression and destruction your authoritarian regimes are intent on bringing to us all. We won't let it happen!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Thank you China, Thank you Russia, for bringing these two long lost brothers back together again.

Except they didn't. The majority of South Koreans are against this agreement, and this just serves to widening the crack.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Its time for Korea and Japan to let go of the past. Move on and build brighter and better futures.

Japan has been so far away from what it was. History is there so, we know how far both countries have come and grown, history there to ever remind us mistakes or atrocities are not repeated from both sides.

One a personal perspective. I have lived in Japan over two decades and now in Korea for a year. Both countries are very similar. On the Landscape Korea has better built and better looking buildings. Korea offers rice fields and factories, trains. Great country side views. From a train window one could get confused and think. Am I back in Japan? Highways systems, again similar. It really is amazing how similar both Korea and Japan are in some aspects. And different in other aspects. In Korea housing and living conditions. Are amazing.. Korean apartment buildings are simply like offering Roppongi Hills apartments to just about anyone who can afford 1.2 million KRW per month. Lot a bang for the buck here. Great food too. Japanese infusion restaurants are everywhere. Japan has better roads for sure. But again the layout, they are so similar.

I am 150 miles from DMZ and Korean people could care less what the North does. Its like they have become so sick of the little boy who cried wolf story so long. They are immune. Become immune to the North. There is such strong military presence here too.

North Korea little by little is getting boxed in. I can say this with absolute confidence. If a war should jump off here with Taiwan and China. Which will happen on Chinas time line. China's war making schedule. Korea and Japan are going to need to be there for Taiwan. It's going to be messy. But good to see a hand shake and cooperation between the two....Both are great countries and I consider it a privilege to have lived in both. Ultimately Japan is my home. But my view on Korea has really changed. Its wonderful here.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

My take? Kishida's more professional, has the negotiating edge, etc.

Happily, we're finally moving towards positive collaboration with South Korea, small dividend mainly due to the madness of pandemic, China, Russia, etc.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Its time for Korea and Japan to let go of the past. Move on and build brighter and better futures.

Believe me the "average" people have! It is impossible to count the numbers of Japanese people who love Korean culture, food, music, language and everything Korean, and vice versa.

It's the politicians and wing-nuts on either side that stoke the flames of distrust.

Japanese and Korean's have much in common and should be friends!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Forgot this small matter of North Korea! But seriously, step by step, keep expectations realistic, one just never knows, but at least they're trying to resolve some matters and look forward together. Now is not the time to be cynical!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Well Said Yubaru....Indeed. Its really nice here. I am enjoying the break from Japanese work grind for sure...Good to see you still here my friend. Always enjoy your commentary.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In the past, Korean presidents have used anti-Japanese mob populism to pop up their approval ratings. Unlike those predecessors, however, Mr Yoon does not seem to succumb to the mob populism. He seems to have a will to do right things.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, I believe bring a sincere genuine attempt to reconcile historic grievances under an umbrella of the regimes, Government of China, North Korea threats, represents.

Then add Russian government belligerence.

Sadly political factions, opposition in South Korea, posing in Samit Basu insistence.....

Any agreement that Yoon has made with Japan is null and void as far as the Democratic party is concerned....

Offer a toxic zero sum game.

With both Governments time and continued cooperation be nullified, and produce a positive future for generations to come.

Reignite the students exchange programs. Move away from political interference, enact a Royal Commision.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wrong DT. After Japan annexed Korea in 1910 there was a contnued migration of Koreans to Japan, as they had been given Japanese citizenship and there was more work and money to be made. Same reasons people emigrate everywhere. The decendants of those Koreans are the basis of the Zainichi Koreans in Japan. They are many generations in Japan and some today don't even speak Korean. Told you to stick to military stuff if you want to retain credibility.

Japan conscripted some 5.4 million Koreans into forced labor. Most of these worked in Korea and Manchuria under exceptionally harsh conditions. About 10% of the forced laborers brought to Japan died in the two years they were brought in to work in Japanese factories and coal mines.

Koreans were never offered citizenship until well after WWII. To this day third generation ethnic Koreans born in Japan to Japan born parents are not considered Japanese and must apply for citizenship. Japan's treatment of the Koreans was barbaric in the extreme and no I am not going to let nationalist right wing apologists off the hook for the barbarities of wartime Japan. One of the reasons Japan remains distrusted by her neighbors is the failure of Japan to own up to its atrocities and fully atone. Your comments are exhibit A.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Japan conscripted some 5.4 million Koreans into forced labor. Most of these worked in Korea and Manchuria under exceptionally harsh conditions. About 10% of the forced laborers brought to Japan died in the two years they were brought in to work in Japanese factories and coal mines.

We don't need some ChongRyon flavored historians's completely fabricated figures here. perhaps you forgot referring to hundreds of thousands Koreans massacred at Kato-earthquake.

Koreans were never offered citizenship until well after WWII. To this day third generation ethnic Koreans born in Japan to Japan born parents are not considered Japanese and must apply for citizenship.

Of course, as they were born to Korean parents in Japan regardless they all do not speak Korean or all born in Japan. Jus sanguinis, which is applied not only to Koreans.

Besides, If you are talking about after WW2, how many Koreans were willing and demanded it? How come they formed and keep Chong Ryon or MIndan taking the full advantage of SPR status? Those are not mere community clubs for ethnic Koreans.

Japan's treatment of the Koreans was barbaric in the extreme and no I am not going to let nationalist right wing apologists off the hook for the barbarities of wartime Japan. One of the reasons Japan remains distrusted by her neighbors is the failure of Japan to own up to its atrocities and fully atone. Your comments are exhibit A.

Yeah, The society which socially exterminate anyone, anything, which are honest and favorable for Japan and Japan's ruling era brainwash not only the Korean but also anyone who wish Japan was as evil as they want it to be. Such anti-Japan tribalism phenomena caused very old man who just said he had missed his good old Japanese days was beaten up to the death by a ignorant brainwashed young man on the street.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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