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Abe seeks trilateral summit with S Korea, U.S.

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By Nobuhiro Kubo

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The key sentence here is this:

The summit idea is expected to come up in meetings on Wednesday and Thursday in Seoul between Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki and South Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yong. The agenda for the meeting is bilateral relations and North Korea, says Japan’s foreign ministry

These two guys have already met together last week, and discussed the summit meeting. They'll be meeting again and agree on dealing with North Korea and the summit between Japan and S.K.

Now the question is this. Will the Japanese government stay out of trouble for few days without one of them opening up his fat mouth? Can they shut their mouths and stay silent for few days or weeks?

That's a big uncertain question, based on recent past of what went down.

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

@chucky write Now the question is this. Will the Japanese government stay out of trouble for few days without one of them opening up his fat mouth? Can they shut their mouths and stay silent for few days or weeks? That's a big uncertain question, based on recent past of what went down.

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Chucky: You are not only one who think about Aso and other cabinet members famous big mouth. Hope the effort of Mr. /akitaka Saiki and Mr. Cho Tae-youg, these famous big mouth Japanese politicians do not destroy. Hope Suga can control them.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

toshiko, no can do.

the Japanese foreign minister left Seoul, only after three hours of meeting with his counterpart. This despite his original plans to stay in Korea for 2 to 3 days of talks. So who opened his big mouth this time?

Why, it was Mr. Suga himself, who called a press conference, and in front of the world, announced that once again, he repeats: Japan had nothing to do with the Comfort Women, they were not forced, and the Japanese government did not run the sex slave camps. Guess what happened right after that? The Korean foreign minister last week, had asked the Japanese government, "please please do not make anymore comments on this, it's politically difficult for us to hold talks with you guys if you guys keep saying these stuff, and not get stoned to death by our voters if we go ahead with meeting you". So now the Korean press are saying once again, Japan back stabbed us.

So Mr.Suga couldn't even wait few days or weeks before he opens his mouth? He couldn't remain silent at least until the meetings are over? Does Japan really want to hold a summit, or is this just a ploy to make South Korea look petty in front of the United States, by refusing to meet with Japan, while Japan makes sure South Korea doesn't agree to the meeting by torpedoing the possible talks every time something comes up close?

Because at this point, I have no ideal what is in the minds of Japanese government.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

i dont think so the korean will accept us at the moment.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

chucky - you know the mudslinging goes both ways right?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Japan has no pressing issue with Korea to talk about. I find it very strange to see Korean president Pak says to Japan, "If you want to see me, do this and do that." The obvious answer from Japan to Korea is "I do not want to see you." I think that diplomacy is for the mutual benefit on equal footing.

Talking of historical recognition, Koreans should not forget they were Japanese allies during WW2. Japanese Imperial Army killed millions of Chinese soldiers and civilians during WW2, so I understand China has due right to demand apology from Japan. But every historian agrees there was no armed hostility between Japan and Korea during WW2. Japanese Imperial Army did not kill Korean soldiers and civilians in any organized manner or attacked Korean towns. Korea demanding an apology from Japan is like Austria or Italy demanding apology from Germany. There were a lot of Korean soldiers in Japanese Imperial Army such as President Pak Cheong Hui who took part in the Japanese aggression.

As far as I know, Koreans refuse to apologize their wrongdoing during WW2.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Tokiyo, it's unfortunate Mr. Suga couldn't wait few days before he slung his mud. There was a verbal agreement last week between the two country's foreign ministers, to hold off insulting each other until the summit is over. Why he has to sling his mud at this time? He couldn't say "no comment"?

I ask again, does Japan really want this summit, or are they just pretending they want one to appease the US? I say it's the ladder based on every actions that the Japanese government has done so far.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

Isn't it convenient for you Chucky, to always be the expert in what the Japanese government says only when it is convenient for you, then claim to have no idea what they are going on about when you can't support your Japan bashing view. Plus never bothering to read articles and only bothering to comment with "yeah that's because Japan is wrong, bad, arrogant...." when the word "Korea" is mentioned, whether in a positive or negative light. Makes no damn difference to you huh? But that is a story for another day, isnt it

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Japan has no pressing issue with Korea to talk about.

Then why is Abe constantly demanding a summit? There's nothing to talk about. Why not just end diplomatic relations? Park hasn't asked for any meeting with Japan. It's Japan that's groveling for a meeting (or trying to make it look like it's Japan being reasonable). For whatever reason, I have no ideal.

I find it very strange to see Korean president Pak says to Japan, "If you want to see me, do this and do that."

Well, it's Japan that's asking for a summit, not Korea. If Japan is going to get a meeting they have to show they're going to negotiate seriously. If not, it's Park's right not to waste her own time.

The obvious answer from Japan to Korea is "I do not want to see you." I think that diplomacy is for the mutual benefit on equal footing.

Funny, but that's Korea's attitude towards Japan.

As for rest of your Japanese revisionist lies, I'm not even going to bother.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

Japan seems to be interested in maintaining their status quo and South Korea is basically in furious disagreement. I have no idea why they are dragging this through when nothing's going to work. Give it up and focus the effort on improving Japanese economy and Fukushima situation. It's getting old. Like a lot of people said, World War II happened 70 years ago, it's time to let go for all three countries.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The Koreans can go pound sand.

The current president is obviously embarrassed by her personal history- after all, her father was a member of the Imperial Japanese Army during WW2, and he was also the man who signed the treaty normalizing relations with Japan. He also took the compensation money Japan paid at that time and refused to distribute it to the victims of WW2. Now, she has to live with that uncomfortable legacy.

"History" is exactly that, history. It's past. Reality dictates that nations have to move forward, not backward. Otherwise, every country in the world could continue to nurse grudges with their neighbours, and international relations would come to a standstill. The Koreans are acting like immature children.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

@chucky: The meeting will be on Mar. 24 - 25 the above article stated. How you snooped the future meeting? Above JT report is dated Mar. 13. I am looking all sort of media in Chinese, English and Japanese but can not find Suga talks yet. Where can I find the material you mentioned? If you can snoop Mar 24-25 meetings, I sure hope I can snoop like you do. I will look all over now. I think I will check Korean media explanation now. Korean officials do not hide what they feel anyway, I will munch kimuchi and will try to read more.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

chucky3176Mar. 13, 2014 - 09:15AM JST

Then why is Abe constantly demanding a summit?

Come here and see the reality, rather than the illusion which Korean press gives you. Koreans call PM Abe an "ultra right nationalist". What does an ultra right nationalist have to talk with Korean President? Nothing.

Really, think of any possible agenda of Abe. You will not be able to think of any, because there is no pressing business between Korea and Japan. If you think collective defense is an issue between Korean and Japan, you are wrong. Collective defense is strictly an issue between the US and Japan.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

toshiko, from here,

http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/03/13/2014031300266.html?news_top

I was surprised that the meeting had already taken place hours ago. But I think this article printed in Japantoday got the meeting dates mixed up. That's the only way I can explain it.

Come here and see the reality, rather than the illusion which Korean press gives you

CH3CHO, what Korean press? The title of this news article says: "Abe seeks trilateral summit with S Korea, U.S. By Nobuhiro Kubo". That sounds to me it's a Japanese inside reporter.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

@chucky: Thank you for link. But I could not find the Suga talk. Olympic stories and latest was 3/3/14. How you got Suga speech? Suga hadn;t comment anything yet as he was busy Tunisia donation etc for now, Check one of Suga's office in LDP HQ.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

oshiko, I'm trying to find what was exactly said by Mr. Suga which upset the Korean foreign minister's office before the meeting with their counterparts from Japan on the same day. Because their meeting only lasted 3 hours and Koreans flatly told the Japanese, "no" to the proposed three country summit, at Haig Netherlands on the 24th to 25th. But definitely there was a press conference done by Mr. Suga on the 12th, and he said something which clearly upset the Koreans once more to say no to the meeting. The closest thing I can find so far, is this.

http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASG3D5S0XG3DUTFK00N.html

Am I reading this correct? They want to go ahead with changing the Kono statement, after all? lol...

The Korean paper says Mr.Suga denied Japanese government forced the sex slaves. But I'm still looking for what exactly Mr. Suga said in his press conference in Tokyo, and verify all this.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

It seems NY Times has something to apologize to Abe.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/opinion/mr-abes-dangerous-revisionism.html?ref=editorials&_r=0

Read the bottom line.

Correction: March 5, 2014

An earlier version of this editorial incorrectly stated that the Abe government would possibly rescind an apology to Korean women who were forced into sexual servitude by Japanese troops.

Abe said he was going to increase PR budget. I think similar "corrections" will follow.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

So after reading a bit of Japanese news, it seems this is what happened.

Yoshihide Suga on March 11 reiterated that the government has no plans to revise the Kono statement, which everyone here cheered as a smart move. There was also positive words from Washington state department which said this was a "positive move". I gather there was tremendous pressure on Japan from Washington to not change the Kono statement.

But at the press conference that Mr Suga attended, Japan will still go ahead and reinvestigate the Comfort Women issue. They will also attempt to show to the Japan public, that the South Koreans played a coercive role in extracting the Kono statement in 1993. The Japanese government thinks that if they can show that the Kono Statement was not a willing statement made by Japan, that Korea played the leading role in forcing Japan to make the statement, Japan can discredit South Korea in the eye of the world, that the Kono statement is the official position of the Japanese government.

So Japan won't take back the "apology" because that could mean a very angry Uncle Sam (we can't have that), but Japan will never the less, show that the comfort women were fake and that Japan had nothing to apologize for, from the beginning.

Now, just waiting for the new Japantoday headline tomorrow, "Suga press conference: Japan will reinvestigate comfort women after all".

So this is the reason why the Koreans called off the talks for a summit meeting after Suga's press conference.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

A Korean government official indicated no progress was likely unless Japan makes further efforts to resolve frictions stemming from Japan’s world time past.

It appears that the Korean government has forgotten about their 1965 treaty with Japan. Oh, wait that's right, if South Korea would live up to it part of the agreement their people would have been compensated in the 1960' and none of this would still be a problem.

chucky3176Mar. 13, 2014 - 09:15AM JST Then why is Abe constantly demanding a summit? There's nothing to talk about. Why not just end diplomatic relations? Park hasn't asked for any meeting with Japan. It's Japan that's groveling for a meeting (or trying to make it look like it's Japan being reasonable). For whatever reason, I have no ideal.

Chucky is a perfect example of why Japan should just walk away from Korea and leave it to it's self. Stop exporting to it, stop importing from it and forget about. Also, stop allowing silly K-pop and dramas to be shown in Japan.

South Korea isn't a friend of Japan and it's about time Japan realized that and look elsewhere to invest and help.

Japan is acting like a civilized responsible neighbor by asking for a summit. But, as usual the Park's government will be unwilling to act the same.

South Korea should no longer be considered an ally or friend. They have become just another Communist China tributary state. Whatever Communist China demands South Korea will do.

Why, well first off the amount of export Korea does with Communist China and then there is the giant reunification carrot trap Communist China has laid out.

The South Korean posters here on more than one occasion have raved about how powerful Korea will be when this reunification happens and Park has touted that all it will cost will be 50 Billion dollars.

But, anyone who has a clue knows that that figure is a fantasy. Hell, even most Korean's know that that is a joke. But reality doesn't matter, this is all nationalist bunk. South Korea is convinced that they must join with Communist China and leave the US-Japan alliance and friendship in the wind.

Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if Park or the next Communist Puppet asks the US forces to leave the Korean peninsula. I for one think it is a waste of time trying to act civilized and friendly with a nation that acts like Korea does.

Time for Japan to close it's South Korean consulate kick out the South Korean ambassador and completely leave South Korea. Japan would be better off without this enemy playing the part of a friend.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Having a summit now, when there are no pressing issues, is a very wise move. It is better to start relations before anything happens than to scramble about in the heat of a crisis. Establish contact, set a schedule, and let things thaw out a bit.

But no. Kim wants to play the victim card. It's tiring. Korea has a short memory when it comes to the rest of the world coming to their rescue in 1950-53. Totally ungrateful. But they whinge about their colonial past with crystal clarity...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

1950? Try 1997 during the IMF crisis see who offered finacial support towards SK. Hell that currency swap between Sk and Japan that had recently been cancelled was a direct result of this incident in which SK begged for.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

chucky3176MAR. 13, 2014 - 08:55AM JST Tokiyo, it's unfortunate Mr. Suga couldn't wait few days before he slung his mud. There was a verbal agreement last week between the two country's foreign ministers, to hold off insulting each other until the summit is over. Why he has to sling his mud at this time? He couldn't say "no comment"? I ask again, does Japan really want this summit, or are they just pretending they want one to appease the US? I say it's the ladder based on every actions that the Japanese government has done so far.heat_++ ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Suga proved there was comfort woman and he did not behave like above statement fabrication. He made sure Japan will not revise Ianfu story. He has been too busy with other issues --- Tunisia and Algeria and he never made such a speech like above comment distorted Suga. Suga had consensus of LDP lawmakers that hated revisionists movement to overthrow Abe Govt.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

First this article headlines with, "Abe seeks trilateral summit with S. Korea, U.S." and then states again that, "Japan is trying to arrange a trilateral summit with South Korea and the United States for this month..." But later on it then tries to claim that, "America is spearheading the summit effort..."

So who is actually "spearheading" this trilateral effort, again? 'Cause your title and opening paragraph makes it sound like that's Japan, not the US. But whatever. If you really want to see what a true "trilateral summit" between these three countries looks like these days, here it is:

1.) Obama meeting bilaterally with Abe: "We think you should A, B, C." Abe: "We agree." 2.) Obama meeting bilaterally with Park: "We think you should A, B, C." Park: "We agree." 3.) Obama to the world: "Japan, South Korea and the United States have agreed that A, B, C."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If Korea does not want a summit, it's fine with Japan. US shouldn't complain Japan about it. I think US knows that what Korea demands Japan accept cannot be proved. But US takes side with Korea maybe because it's convenient for US too.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

There is no doubt that Korea whines a lot. But, they are also a good example of why countries cannot just do whatever they want domestically (ex - visiting Yasukuni) and think there will be no consequences. As they say, you lie in the bed you make. Japan may not like it that the Koreans complain when they visit Yasukuni, but it's a known factor. They already know it's going to p*ss off the Koreans if they visit the shrine, so when they visit, they have no place to complain about Park not wanting to meet with them after the fact.

And anyone who thinks that Japan doesn't need Korea doesn't understand the principles of international trade. Japan does need Korea, just as Korea needs Japan. Countries don't exist in vacuums.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Strangerland

For your information, SK sent military attaches to Yasukuni to give a prayer up until the late 80's well after the so calle "A Class" war criminals were united.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

A Japanese politician visits a Japanese shrine in Japan on a Japanese holiday to pay respects to Japanese who died in the war. Frankly, it sounds like nobody else's business to me. I don't hear too many politicians in Japan sticking their noses into Korea's internal affairs.

Korea is suffering the geopolitical equivalent of "small man syndrome". Let's call it "small country syndrome". They feel the need to constantly make noise and poke their larger and more important neighbours. It is a sign of national insecurity and immaturity.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

For your information, SK sent military attaches to Yasukuni to give a prayer up until the late 80's well after the so calle "A Class" war criminals were united.

True or not, that doesn't change the fact that the Japanese already know the Koreans are going to whine when they visit the shrine, and that it's going to cause troubles.

(that said, do you have a link? I'm interested to know more)

Frankly, it sounds like nobody else's business to me.

It doesn't matter whether you or the Japanese think it's no one else's business, because the reaction is the same whether you think that or not. And that hurts business, which in turn hurts the people of Japan.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

That NY Times article is political propaganda. Never trust a column where the author's name is not mentioned. It is an opinion piece, in which the person who's opinion has been been masked behind the opinion board. Chances are it isn't the opinion of the "editorial board" but more so that of a Korean nationalist, or a western sympathizer skewed by the opinions of their korean peers.

"Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's brand of nationalism is a becoming an ever more serious threat to Japan's relations with the United States." (note the incorrect grammar here: "is a becoming", clearly a common mistake made by Asians..).

This author is intentionally trying to stir up trouble by trying to make it seem that Japan is turning against the US. How low will these pro-korean writers go? It's a shame that news today is 95% sensationalism stirring up controversy or a distraction to the real problems at hand. Freedom of speech is one thing, but there should be a law against defamation and libel. Oh wait, there is : Defamation, Libel and Slander Law. Koreans use this to sue people left and right, up and down, inside and out.

Japan doesn't need to have a summit with Korea, but it is willing to in good faith with it's ally in the US. Japan is not a threat to the US. However, Korea on the other hand, is increasingly friendly with China and talks about a re-unification with the North should raise alarm that once unified, Korea/China will come knocking on Japan's shores. The irony is that North Korea, in some bizarre ways, favors Japan over the South. A unified Korea would most likely be unstable and burden South Korea and its "reputation". South Korea is stuck in a rut where they can't do anything but badmouth Japan, and Japan is stuck in a rut where it constantly has to defend itself against defamation. That Japan is willing to have a summit with Korea despite all the libel and slander shows how mature and willing it is to reconcile.

Japan ought to concentrate on South-east Asia, India, Turkey, Pakistan, and Israel and improving economic and sociopolitical relations with them. Japan and these countries have mutual respect for each other and much to gain from bilateral trade and cultural exchange. I'm afraid at this point such a relationship with Korea is a lose-lose situation for Japan.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

StrangerlandMar. 13, 2014 - 03:27PM JST

If a president of a country criticizes a political leader of a neighboring country because of religion, we will have a very dangerous world. We do no live in the Middle Ages any more. Political leaders of the world today communicate each other, putting aside religion.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Japan does need Korea, just as Korea needs Japan. Countries don't exist in vacuums.

Japan does not need Korea. The trade with Korea is not big. SK did not cooperate in issue of abducted Japanese to NK. Only thing SK has done to Japan is complain, and always hamper anything Japan tries to do.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

If a president of a country criticizes a political leader of a neighboring country because of religion, we will have a very dangerous world.

Good thing the Koreans have never criticized the Japanese for being shintoist and/or Buddhist.

I'm not sure what relevance your comment has to the conversation though.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Strangerland

Whether Abe visits Yasukuni or not, I think whining from SK is inevitable, if not Yasukuni they'll find something else, you can be sure of that.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japan does not need Korea. The trade with Korea is not big.

S. Korea is Japan's third largest trading partner. You're fooling yourself if you think the absence of that wouldn't hurt the country. It's a HUGE portion if the export and imports of Japan.

Whether Abe visits Yasukuni or not, I think whining from SK is inevitable, if not Yasukuni they'll find something else, you can be sure of that.

That's purely speculation. What we do know however is that Korea will whine if the Japanese visit Yasukuni. If they don't visit Yasukuni, the Koreans may whine about something else, but what they cannot whine about is Yasukuni.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Strangerland; the situation you describe is the political version of the "heckler's veto", where free speech is limited due to the potential of noisy reaction. In Japan, Abe can do as he pleases and Korea can react as they please. However, Korea CHOOSES to react.

Face it, Koreans don't even really like each other! The South treats those who manage to escape from the North quite shamefully. They are seen as an embarrassment rather than as returning family.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

In Japan, Abe can do as he pleases and Korea can react as they please. However, Korea CHOOSES to react.

Yes, they can do as they please. I haven't claimed otherwise. However, there are always consequences to actions. Like it or not, the consequences are decided by other people. It's a cause -> effect situation. Go to Yasukuni, and Korea will react. They know this before they go, and they choose to go anyways, therefore it's their own fault when the response they knew about ahead of time comes about. It's like kicking a dog. The dog chooses to attack back. Dogs shouldn't attack people. But no one is going to take you seriously if you kick a dog then complain that it bit you in response. Instead they are going to say "what, are you stupid? How could you think it wouldn't bite you?"

They don't have to like the Korean response, but they have no choice but to live with it.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

S. Korea is Japan's third largest trading partner

I know it's the third, but far smaller than 2nd, and not much different from 4th, 5th, etc. With increased Japan-bashing, Korea will have less trade with Japan, and become more dependent on China. Sayonara

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I know it's the third, but far smaller than 2nd, and not much different from 4th, 5th, etc. With increased Japan-bashing, Korea will have less trade with Japan, and become more dependent on China. Sayonara

It's still a significant amount. Enough that it would hurt if it were to stop. Just ask the businesses that are doing business with the Koreans.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Strangerland

True or not, that doesn't change the fact that the Japanese already know the Koreans are going to whine when they visit the shrine, and that it's going to cause troubles.

So you admit that SK are hypocrites and yet you go on talking about consequences to actions?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Like clockwork.

After recent speculation and Japanese politicians voicing their desire to revise their past apologies, Abe now wants a summit. Korea refuses, and the usual Japan supporters come out with their 'inferiority complex' line against SK and praise Japan for acting like a mature nation.

I posted this a week ago:

Watch now as Shinzo Abe calls for peace and dialogue with South Korea..

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

So you admit that SK are hypocrites and yet you go on talking about consequences to actions?

First, I didn't admit they are hypocrites. Maybe you don't know what "true or not" means. It means that it may be true (the 'true' part), but I don't know, nor necessarily accept it as so (the 'or not' part).

And whether it's true (it may be), or not (it may not be), it doesn't matter, because the reaction is known ahead of time anyways. Everyone knows the Koreans are going to complain when the Japanese visit Yasukuni. So to visit and expect there to be no reaction is like expecting the sun not to come up in the morning. It doesn't matter how much you don't want it to happen, it's going to.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Here is a list of dignitaries that paid visit to Yasukuni.

http://chinachips.fc2web.com/repo5/051071sub.html

0 ( +2 / -2 )

It's still a significant amount. Enough that it would hurt if it were to stop Just ask the businesses that are doing business with the Koreans.

It's not significant enough to endure Korea's bashing like this. I believe Japan's business in Koea is in decline as well as Japanese tourists.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Korea govt spread false information The U.S. government disappointment at Abe visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Does the U.S. government know what South Korea is doing? South Korea uses Yasukuni for anti-Japan propaganda. Although many people are deceived, Japan and South Korea have not warred during World War II and annexation.

[Japan Official Site]http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/

[South Korea Propaganda site]http://www.yasukuni.net/

[South Korea Propaganda site]http://www.yasukuni.org/

[South Korea Propaganda site]http://www.yasukuni.biz/

[South Korea Propaganda site]http://www.yasukuni.info/

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Suga proved there was comfort woman and he did not behave like above statement fabrication. He made sure Japan will not revise Ianfu story. He has been too busy with other issues --- Tunisia and Algeria and he never made such a speech like above comment distorted Suga. Suga had consensus of LDP lawmakers that hated revisionists movement to overthrow Abe Govt

toshiko, Suga said that there will be no change to the government’s stance to uphold the Kono statement, true. But he's double talking again. The Japanese government will look into whether South Korea was involved in the wording of the Kono statement, and Japan have not abandon the plan to reinvestigate the Comfort Women and Kono Statement. It's typical Japanese doublespeak, double actions that are inconsistent to the spirit of promises of good will when they claim they want the summit to be held.

https://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/politics/AJ201403120051

You don't slap someone in the face, then ask for a friendly meeting, then get upset when he tells you to go away. This cycle has been going on for months with Japan, and it's the reason why nobody trusts what Japanese government says.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

You don't slap someone in the face, ,.

Japan did not slap SK in the face. If you meant Yasukuni, it's your stupidity and imagination Yasukuni is too important a place for Japanese to do anything with Korea. But Koreans are so conceited that whatever japan does they think it meant for Korea.

then ask for a friendly meeting

Japan never asked for a friendly meeting, just a meeting to make US happy.

then get upset when he tells you to go away

Japan does not upset if Koreans say Japan go away. It's much better than other situations.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It's not significant enough to endure Korea's bashing like this. I believe Japan's business in Koea is in decline as well as Japanese tourists.

Try telling that to the numerous companies that do business with Korea. I used to work for one, and they hated when the government did stupid stuff to piss off the Koreans. Conversely, our Korean counterparts were frustrated when their own government complained about Japan.

The average person doesn't care about the right-winger BS. That's just a small portion of the population.

Japan did not slap SK in the face. If you meant Yasukuni, it's your stupidity and imagination Yasukuni is too important a place for Japanese to do anything with Korea.

It's both. It's obviously an important place to the Japanese, but it's obviously also a slap in the face to the Koreans. To think it's only one or the other is stupidity.

Japan never asked for a friendly meeting

Um, no.

Japan does not upset if Koreans say Japan go away. It's much better than other situations.

Um, no

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

.

Japan did not slap SK in the face. If you meant Yasukuni,

I did not mention anything about Yasukuni, tina. Please read the article I posted. Japan expects to hold a summit meeting with Korea but they want to show the world that Korea forced Japan to make the Kono statement. Top of the that, Japan's plan to investigate the comfort women all over again is still on schedule. If Japan thinks Korea will just be happy that Japan won't change the wording of the Kono statement, then they are mistaking seriously

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

South Koreans need to decide if they want US protection or they want to be part of China. In which case they can be absorbed into North Korea. Why do 28,000 US servicemen and women have to put their life on the line for a country that wants to play both sides of the fence?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

How are they laying both sides of the fence?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

OssanAmerica, and what has Japan got to do with Korea-US relations? Answer is: nothing.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

but it's obviously also a slap in the face to the Koreans

How obvious? No evidence. Typical Korean's 3 year old whining. Nobody's slapping you, but you cry. Japan's so tired of babysitting you Japan quit, Sorry.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

chucky3176Mar. 13, 2014 - 10:08PM JST OssanAmerica, and what has Japan got to do with Korea-US relations? Answer is: nothing.

The sole purpose of the US military presence in South Korea is to prevent another conflict with North Korea. In the greater sense since China supports North Korea the US presence in South Korea also supports US strategic policy in East Asia. Japan is the largest US military presence in Asia and gateway to regional operations. Japan is a crucial component of US-South Korea relations. This was proven in 1950/51 and has not only not changed but has increased in importance. The fact is that contrary to the position of the ark administration and J-hating Koreancrowd, the Korean military are fully aware of this.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Oooh, would I love to attend that meeting. And I'd bring a full dossier on guess who?

Yeah, you got it: Park Chung hee.

And I'd tell Park Geun-hye nothing, except the following:

"President Obama just wanted you to have this, and express his desire for you to get along with Japan..."

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Repeat: Suga did not give double talk. He supports Kono statement and recently busy to figure out how Japan will benefit by loaning money to Tunisia, the country that was once Freance made it as French territtory and has been trying to recoup after event of assassination last year. He has not changed his mind since he yelled against that lawmaker who denied comfort woman existence openly. Again Suga and Abe decided to ignore revisionist openly. They may do something we may not like but fabricating what they didn't. chckie is doing his one man propaganda against Suga.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

OssanAmerica, Japan won't quit because they are acting intelligently. The U.S. is pressing for it because we are thinking intelligently…

On the contrary, Korea is thinking and acting more intelligently on its own, unlike Japan which does things without thinking either under influence or due to lack of intelligence. Strategically thinking it is better for S Korea to get closer to China for the sake of its own people in terms of economic growth, and security against N Korea. Time has proven that China has been a good neighbour to S Korea. It would be suicidal to get closer to Japan both in terms of trades as S Korea and Japan basically are competitors and N Korea conflict as Japan is seen as a puppet of the US by N Korea. For the hope of future unification, better relation with China is even more crucial. US alliance only serves to deter the aggressiveness of N Korea but in time of a real conflict, China is a better bet.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Why is Abe desperately seeking a summit with Korea after barrage of deliberately disrespectful policies against them? Soon after taking office ABE announced to retract past apologies to Korea then he blatantly paid homage to Yaskuni followed by his proposal to re-investigate the validity of comfort women which he withdrew for unknown reason and now calls for Tri-Lateral Summit??? Must say his actions are puzzling and lacks in any honor, who would in right mind take him seriously? This is a man who said his reason for paying respect to war dead at Yasukuni including the criminals who planned the invasion and massacre of millions was to strengthen ties with Korea and China and promote mutual understanding... Wow, so obviously he is NOT sincere about facing the past at all so what good will this Summit do without ABE facing the past and the truth?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Abe is complying US request. Probably he could not care less to be a friend with S. Korea. He has been successful in Japan become friendly in Arabic, Africa and Southern Asia.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@flower

If you mean defining tributary state under a suzerain power relationship as "Good neighbors" then yeah but that is so 19th century and most nations had gone beyond that.

I also think the relationship with PRC the new landlord of mainland China and ROK began with a very rocky start now known as the Korean war. Not really what you call friendly neighbors in my book.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

ROK's relationship is strictly based on economic interests, nothing more and nothing less. As they say, money talks, and China has the clout and the market, that mercantalist Japan has not. Politically, S.Korea is much more tied to the United States, rather than China and Japan, because S.Korea defines them both as two perfect examples of countries that South Korea can't trust. North Korea is also similar in that regard. They also neither trust China or Japan. It's amusing for Imperial Japan apologists to claim that this is a tributary relationship just because Korea doesn't think too much of Japan. Amusing in light of the fact that they still think Japan is all that important for S.Korea. If the trade between two countries stopped today, it will be Japan that has more to lose, than S.Korea to the virtue of 3 to 1. That's how lopsided the imbalance of trade is between the two countries. I for one, support the ideal to fix this imbalance once and for all.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

chucky you keep saying the same thing over and over again. SK is entitled to go ahead with your plan and Japan does not care. The problem is US. US doesn't like your move, and bring pressure on Japan. So, what you should do is tell US not bother to mend ties of Japan-SK. Then both Japan and SK are happy.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

So, what you should do is tell US not bother to mend ties of Japan-SK. Then both Japan and SK are happy.

It is not Chunky job for telling US for not bothering to mend ties of Japan-SK. If Japan is not interested in improving tie with SK, Abe should tell US that Japan and ROK can not tolerate each other.

US can not force Japan and ROK will pretend as they love each other. Reality is they hate each other more than anything else.

Then why is Abe constantly demanding a summit? There's nothing to talk about. Why not just end diplomatic relations? Park hasn't asked for any meeting with Japan. It's Japan that's groveling for a meeting (or trying to make it look like it's Japan being reasonable).

It is very logical and reasonable. Japan and ROK are similar with divorced couple who do not want to see each other again. US should not press doomed couple will make the reconciliation again.

Both Japan and ROK do not need to please US for everything as being said. They can not stand each other regardless of US meddling. It is the right moment for ceasing diplomatic relation and economic co-operation between Tokyo and Seoul.

It may make US upset and unhappy. However Japan and ROK will be feel as free and happy as birds for choosing their own destiny.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

We don't need Korea. America does.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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