Kishida makes farewell visit to Seoul and reaffirms sympathy for Korean colonial victims

Respect for their mature attitude and efforts to bring together the two countries that have much in common culturally and politically.

Kishida did a good job and didn't run leaving everything still in chaos, like Abe did and a bunch of other PM's.

He also worked towards peace and made a very good effort to strengthen relations with its neighbor and closest ally. Just like Yoon has done all this time. Unlike Moon who only played the politician's favorite trump card, "look at what they did" when he needed to redirect the attention somewhere else.

Both leaders are living in the present and not in the past, building a better future, unlike some irrational posters I've seen here.

Rikidozan88: very well-spoken! They have so much in common, and efforts must continue in order to mend the past...

“If President Yoon is truly the president of the Republic of Korea, he must not let the visit become an occasion to advertise Kishida’s achievements,” said Han Min-soo, a spokesperson for the main liberal opposition Democratic Party. “Our people will no longer tolerate the Yoon Suk Yeol government undermining national interest with a subservient diplomacy toward Japan.”

Right on the money with this one on Kishida's farewell tour to pat himself on the back for basically just trips to the US and South Korea. Korea also shouldn't be subservient to the US, Japan or China.

There's nothing wrong with a prime minister going to visit a shrine to a million dead farm boys. But whoever thought it would be a good idea to toss a few dozen war criminals in there was an idiot. They should reinter those dead jackasses somewhere else and then there will be no controversy.

Can South Korea accept a new Japanese prime minister visiting Yasukuni Shrine?

I doubt it,”

Yes that is right, nobody believes you, Mr.Kishida, you achieved nothing in the last three years and now you are an outgoing politician without any meaningful achievements, who cares you?

The Koreans know the hatred and racism of Koreans in Japan, they don't believe a single word from you. Actually they know your pledge was a cosplay drama to appease your master, the Americans!

If Koizumi Jr. becomes the next PM, it will be interesting to see if he visits Yasukuni as his father did. I suspect it will be on his agenda.

Our people will no longer tolerate the Yoon Suk Yeol government undermining national interest.

Yoon is very likely to be investigated and arrested for corruptions, maybe his wife as well. She made fraud education qualification statement. Most of the South Korean presidents endup in jail or tragedies, some were quite unfortunate but "YOON" is definitely not an innocent.After he is put behind bars, nobody remember this summit !

Yoon is very likely to be investigated and arrested for corruptions, maybe his wife as well.

It is a Korean tradition to imprison previous Presidents for political reasons. Happens in similar Asian "democracies" such as Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines.

If Koizumi Jr. becomes the next PM, it will be interesting to see if he visits Yasukuni...

Oh, if this is true, this is a very welcoming news for me. I won't be surprised if Kono-san or Ishiba-san do this if they are elected. Every Asian country should shut a distance away from Japan because of this Yasukuni issue. China is very happy to hear this !

elephant

The Koreans know the hatred and racism of Koreans in Japan,

Could you specify where exactly Japan is racist against Koreans?

Last I checked, Japan has a Korean town and it is very popular among younger and older folks alike. Lots of Koreans working for big names companies like Honda and Nissan. Japan has schools for North Korea students and in the past (still current generation), even Toru Hashimoto, of all people and someone you wouldn't expect to, stood in court against those black vans right-wingers to defend the kids on that school.

And not a single time I've encountered a kid who told me they hate Korea. Not once in my 20 years in Japan. Can't say the same about Korean kids, tho. And with that, I can understand why you're so full of hatred. Maybe you went thru the same brainwashing some of my seven and 8 y/o Korean students have gone thru.

But times change. People change. And for the most, people improve for the better.

Why are there so many protests? Look at the photos. Read the banners.

It has nothing to do with 'comfort women' (many of them children abducted).

So desperate theyd do this with Korea. I assume China's next in line? Hopefully. One, just one absolute sincere apology?

elephant200Today  09:53 am JST

Can South Korea accept a new Japanese prime minister visiting Yasukuni Shrine?

There are over 21,000 Koreans enshrined at Yasukuni, starting from 1910.

The Koreans know the hatred and racism of Koreans in Japan, they don't believe a single word from you. Actually they know your pledge was a cosplay drama to appease your master, the Americans!

Racism towards Koreans is a thing of the 20th century. Any present day anti-Korean sentiment in Japan is predominanty a direct response to the over the top anti-Japan sentiment in SKorea. SKorea is fortunate to have a clear headed leader like Pres Yoon who could see that the anti-Japan posture gained absolutely nothing for SKorea and even hindered it's own security.

I never encountered any animosity between Korean youth and Japanese youth. If anything, they're both cool and wanna see the US get serious about global leadership.

Oh, I see.

Enshrining people from another country circa 1910 or before is perfectly acceptable.

How convenient.

There it is again. Did they have a choice? Were they considered Korean at that time or simply subjects of the Emperor of Japan? We know, in your fantasy world Korea voluntarily gave up its sovereignty to Japan, an independence that Korea maintained for the most part against such foes as Imperial China and Mongolia for 2,000 years.

There are over 21,000 Koreans enshrined at Yasukuni, starting from 1910.

@Ossan: There are over 21,000 Koreans enshrined.....

That's why the South Koreans hate Japan so much. Those deaths were not necessary. Japan 's foolish wars made the Korean recruits paid the price in blood. The South Koreans see anyone has connections with Imperial Japan 's aggression or privileges was an insult to their whole family.

SKorea is fortunate to have a clear headed leader like Pres Yoon who could see that the anti-Japan posture..

Absolutely untrue. Yoon is seen as a traitor in that country. He will pay the price after investigation and arrest, send to the court and then behind bars.

Yoon is hateful, he ruined a lot of things done by "Moon" , especially his rude and arrogant rhetorics against North Korea. Yoon is the worst dog ever seen by the South Koreans and so does his wife !

What achievements does Kishida done in three years? He was lucky enough to be P.M. of Japan in his young age but so unfortunately Abe-san died so early leaving him struggling helplessly.

So the so called ‘’Good relations‘’ with South Korea will be forgotten as he fade away. Actually the Japanese hate him even more, his monthly traveling overseas reflected his reluctant to save the country.

Be respectable of the Korean community here in Japan, who work, live, build households, and follow the due diligence of their bicultural status. Many have friends and family in both countries and all the “hatred” publicized towards Japan from Korea could be heartbreaking, and vice versa. We learn to live with whatever the consequences our decisions may bring, but hopefully the two nations can overcome the difficulties in building a better relationship.

@ elephant

Enshrining people from another country circa 1910 or before is perfectly acceptable.

@ deanza

There it is again. Did they have a choice? Were they considered Korean at that time or simply subjects of the Emperor of Japan?

Let me tell you some information before you spread only the wrong facts!!

I learnt this when I visited Yasukuni Shrine several years ago with a senior colleague.

On the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine near the south gate, there is a small shrine called "Chinreisha".

This small wooden shrine is dedicated to those who died in all wars for and against Japan and were not enshrined in the main shrine of Yasukuni. They included Japanese who were against the Imperial Japanese Army, and also the foreign victims and enemies of Japan.

So, not everyone enshrined on the grounds of Yasukuni was a supporter of Imperial Japan!! Those enshrined at "Chinreisha" are a contrast to those enshrined in the main shrine of Yasukuni.

Back to the topic, I admire the courage and effort of Kishida and Yoon to move forward for the benefit of the young people of Japan and Korea. If you continue to stick to the past, it's called ignorance!!

JJEToday  02:24 pm JST

Oh, I see.

Enshrining people from another country circa 1910 or before is perfectly acceptable.

How convenient.

No you don't see anything at all.

From 1910 to 1945, all Koreans were Japanese citizens. The vast majority of Korean men who joined the Imperial Japanese military did so volunarily, as conscription on the Korean penninsula did not start until 1943.

elephant200Today  03:06 pm JST

@Ossan: There are over 21,000 Koreans enshrined.....

That's why the South Koreans hate Japan so much. Those deaths were not necessary. Japan 's foolish wars made the Korean recruits paid the price in blood. The South Koreans see anyone has connections with Imperial Japan 's aggression or privileges was an insult to their whole family.

Incorrect. Those SKoreans who "hate Japan" are in denial of their honest history. The role that Koreans played during WWII. Multiple Koreans were convicted as Class B and C War Criminals by the International Tribunal for the FarEast. One Korean, a Lt. General Hong Sa Ik was convicted and and received the death penalty,

deanzaZZRToday  02:59 pm JST

There it is again. Did they have a choice? Were they considered Korean at that time or simply subjects of the Emperor of Japan? We know, in your fantasy world Korea voluntarily gave up its sovereignty to Japan, an independence that Korea maintained for the most part against such foes as Imperial China and Mongolia for 2,000 years.

They had a choice. Koreans started joining the Imperial Japanese military after 1910 when Korea became a Japanese colony and Koreans became Japanese citizens. They joined willingly because conscription on the Korean penninsula did not even start until 1943.

Korea gave up it's sovereignty neither willingly nor unwillingly. The 1910 annexation only took place because Imperial Japan wanted to colonize Korea as a buffer against Russia, against whom they had just fought a war in 1904/05, and there were Korean who advocated joining the Japanese Empire, notably the Yangbangs.

Korea was a tributary state of the Chinese dynasties for most of it's history including up to theJoeson Dynasty. It was never really "independent". In fact it was Imperial Japan, as one of it's demands upon the defeated Qing Dynasty that forced it to "recognize Korean sovereignty".

Please actually study the subject before commenting to my posts.

"Kishida makes farewell visit to Seoul and reaffirms sympathy for Korean colonial victims."

Excellent job PM Kishida San, there is nothing better than leaving with a bang. You will be greatly missed in global affairs.

Kishida makes farewell visit to Seoul and reaffirms sympathy for Korean colonial victims.

No one believes that. Sooner or later if any Japanese cabinet members made insult or visiting that Yasukuni shrine will be seriously backslashed !