With Abe's exit, South Korea seeks to mend Japan ties

What remains unclear, however, is whether Abe’s exit will prove to be a diplomatic turning point. Mutual resentment runs deep and goes beyond individual politicians.

A diplomatic turning point might finally come when Moon leaves the office. Mending the relationship with SK is not at all a priority, not an urgent issue for Japan under Suga.

Slight modifications to perpetual claim of victim status imminent for both sides.

Noriahojanen - Not so sure that mending Korea ties is not an urgent issue with Suga. Suga's priority will be the pandemic, the olympics and jump starting the economy. By 2019 Q4 Japan's economy was tanking and one of the main reasons was because of the trade dispute with their third largest trading partner, Korea. I do agree with you that Moon's departure will help.

bahahahahah

sorry but I can’t stop laughing at the photo, with trump.

Anyway, good luck to both SK and JP.

Abe out, Suga in.

Predictions . . . South Korea and Moon Jae-in temporarily mend relations, then the Comfort Women issue gets raised again by South Korea. Rinse repeat.

The greatest diplomatic action he made after 8 years in office is resigning. Good job now retire and leave the rest of us alone.

Agree, Moon's departure needed.

Drop ALL demands for money, drop ALL demands for yet more apologies, drop the almost daily anti-Japan rallies, stop the constant bullying and picking on Japan, and maybe, just maybe, PM Suga will look at slowly improving relations.

I cant see any improvement in relations any time soon, and this is actually no concern for Japan which is ticking along nicely without any relationship with SK.

By 2019 Q4 Japan's economy was tanking and one of the main reasons was because of the trade dispute with their third largest trading partner, Korea.

No, experts argue that the latest tax hike is responsible for economic downturns, not to mention the pandemic has made it worse.

Unlike SK, Japan is not dependent on overseas markets. Its international trade (including inbound tourism) constitutes only 16 % of the entire GDP. Korea's NO JAPAN boycott campaigns have rarely affected Japanese businesses.

Slight modifications to perpetual claim of victim status imminent for both sides.

Except one side was a victim (invaded) and the other was the aggressor (invader)...

Yea right.

I'll believe it when I see it.

The SK government needs to stop endorsing blind hatred of Japan, stop getting angry over every perceived slight, and they need to be held accountable for sticking to any agreements between the two.

I mean, look what happened recently when some "activist" embezzled Comfort Women funds. Absolutely disgusting.

Might be telling abt Chinas invasion of SK as oe victim sk (invaded) aggressor china (invader) nothing else

Top photo, is South Korean President Moon Jae-in depicting a snigger, or a smirk?

Abe san looks like a statesman. How times have changed.

South Korea issues with Japan as of 2020

-They dont like the 1965 aggrement as Final.

-The don't like the 2015 Comfort woman deal as Final.

-Over 50 Apologies given by different Party groups in our government, Korea doesn't like any of them, not one was sincere.

-Building comfort women statues around the world creating hate against Japanese.

-Trying to Change the name of Japan Sea. They don't approve of that name.

-Japanese text books, don't have enough humiliation, guilt, blame, shame on Japan for the War. Koreans want more.

-UNESCO Japan sites they disapprove. Have challenged Japan at the WTO.

-Illegally occupied Japan Island 1954 they call it Dokdo. Want Japan to say its Korean.

-Want Japanese government to do nothing if our companies are sold off, taken advantage off because of Korean Court ruling.

-They have threaten to quit GSOMIA even though they benefit the most from it.

South Korea likes a weak, apologetic, humiliated Japan, ashamed of its history, always apologizing when Korea asked for one, always feel guilt, and always willing to pay Koreans. That's what their waiting for in New Suga, that's the boxes he needs to check..... 2 years later they will say it's not enough.

Any dim light of hope is better than Abe’s grandfather-like approach.

Japan should just give them the finger if SK suddenly turns nice.

So they want to make it appear as if everything is entirely Abe's fault

I seriously doubt SK-Japan relations will improve that much. It's not just leaders but a significant percentage of the general public.

@AgentX

You obviously don't understand how wars work. Invading countries always need collaborators and Korea had plenty who were all too eager to sell their fellow countrymen as slaves, just like the Nazis had French collaborators.

Mr.Suga maybe showing a bit more sincerely of apology to others but Japan still has a lot to go for reconciliation! You know the rightist like Abe were still holding the LDP!

Hopefully, Suga will make it clear from the beginning that there will be no further money for wartime crimes. As soon as it is brought up, stand up and say, “We’re done here.” Then walk out.

I like how SK frames the situation as if its in Japan's best interest to mend ties and how its always most urgent too.

They made their bed and the world watch and more importantly industry watched how SK not once not twice but several times voided their contract agreements and went after assets from a corporate entity. These shenanigans have demoted SK from respectable to laughable and destroyed any trust they had.

Iya Iya Iya. You guys just started to demand for an apology again.

Watch out for massive Japan bashing in next few months. The media wants to see how much they can bully suga around.

Oh Prime minister Sugar will mend ties with Korea, the fat one

Tom & Jerry

Judging by the first picture, I think Abe san and Mr Moon have been watching too may ABBA videos.

Fanta, cue the music.

I doubt Japan Korea relations will change significantly without some outside arm twisting by other nations like the US, Australia, Singapore and perhaps Canada.

Desert TortoiseSep. 16  10:12 pm JST

I doubt Japan Korea relations will change significantly without some outside arm twisting by other nations like the US, Australia, Singapore and perhaps Canada.

South Korea is the only party that needs arm twisting along with collective therapy. Japan has abided by all agreements, South Kora keeps breaking them. South Korea, while relying on the US for it;s own defense continues with behavior that undermines US strategic capability in the region.