Tokyo Gov Yoichi Masuzoe on Wednesday arrived in Seoul for a three-day visit. It is the first visit to Seoul by a Tokyo governor since 1996.
Masuzoe told reporters in Tokyo before his departure that he hoped his visit would help improve Japan-South Korea relations which have been strained recently over historical and territorial disputes, NTV reported.
Seoul and Tokyo are sister cities.
On Wednesday, Masuzoe met Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and laid a wreath for the victims of April’s Sewol ferry disaster.
On Thursday, Masuzoe will meet the speaker of South Korea's parliament.
© Japan Today
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toshiko
@sf2kJUL. 25, 2014 - 03:45AM JST
this is good. Cities make all the difference, not countries. If Tokyo and Seoul find ways to cooperate more, then it will show up their local politicians on each side.
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I agree with you. Friendship between cities usually have no political scheme.
sf2k
this is good. Cities make all the difference, not countries. If Tokyo and Seoul find ways to cooperate more, then it will show up their local politicians on each side.
toshiko
@JohnY921JUL. 24, 2014 - 03:22PM JST Shinzo, listen to what South Korean President is telling you. Then you might be able to meet her. She might even help you to meet the President of China.
SK President: "The more Japan denies its historical truth, the more it will be isolated from the international community."
Shinzo, Good luck!
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His name is not Shinzo. His name is Yocichi Masuzoe.
On Wednesday, Masuzoe met Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and laid a wreath for the victims of April’s Sewol ferry disaster.
On Thursday, Masuzoe will meet the speaker of South Korea’s parliament.
Mlodinow
I think (hope) Masuzoe is a different creature from his predecessors, but I for one think that local body politicians (even with fancy titles like Governor) should keep out of National politics. Good to see him travel a little, but I think we've all seen the effects of non-govt politicians having a go at international affairs.
Hope he can do some good for Tokyo while he's there
Abrahams Daniel
I wish Japan had this guy for a prime minister relations wit other asian countries wud have been at thier best.
JohnY921
Shinzo, listen to what South Korean President is telling you. Then you might be able to meet her. She might even help you to meet the President of China.
SK President: "The more Japan denies its historical truth, the more it will be isolated from the international community."
Shinzo, Good luck!
Daniel Neagari
@Mr. Perfect
Blehhhhh
nath
Daniel Neagari Jul. 24, 2014 - 12:56PM JST
Me too and that these women will be duly recognized for the hell they endured so long ago and the slander and disrespect they continue to endure from those public figures here in Japan and those who can find NO fault in them.
Daniel Neagari
I just hope... .this "down with Japan" sentiment ends once and for all.
nath
Good on Masuzoe for taking the initiative to mend relations between the two cities. Let's hope this will lead to the leaders of both Japan and Korea to do the same!
some14some
I think he had visited China also for same purpose but nothing positive has come out so far.....! perhaps he has "personal" ambitions like Prime Minister Abe.
CrazyJoe
In 2009, 3.05 million Japanese visited South Korea. In 2012, 3.51 million Japanese visited SK, and last year (2013) only 2.74 million Japanese visited SK, a decrease of 21.9% from the previous year. The fact is less and less Japanese tourists are visiting SK these days.
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/news/140602/kor14060211360004-n1.htm
tinawatanabe
SK invited Masuzoe just when SKorea is having trouble financing the next winter Olympics. Masuzoe won't have his 2nd term if he promised any financial assistance just like Japan did for Soul Olympics.
SenseNotSoCommon
Increase the Peace!
toshiko
Now we can relax. This is the first big step to have both countries friendly. This will benefit both countries.
MASSWIPE
"It is the first visit to Seoul by a Tokyo governor since 1996."
What that means, therefore, is that Ishihara Shintaro did not bother visiting Seoul once during his 13 years as governor of Tokyo (1999-2012). This guy has visited the North Pole and traveled across South America by motorcycle. And yet, during his 13 years as governor of Japan's capital region, he couldn't bother to make a goodwill gesture and fly for two hours to visit Seoul. But he blew a lot of public money on Shinginko Tokyo.
CrazyJoe
Both sides can now look forward instead of looking back.
ReformedBasher
Should I have said "Hoping some bad will come of this and relations will deteriorate."?
Or is someone having a tantrum?
Sensato
I am relieved to see Gov. Masuzoe take constructive steps toward building relations with South Korea, and I hope this mends damage done during the disastrous governorships of his predecessors Ishihara and Inose.
This type of forward-looking governor is exactly what Tokyo needs, and I am hopeful that his visit will benefit the economies of both countries in terms of tourism (as @zichi noted) and trade flows.
ReformedBasher
Hoping some good will come of this and relations will improve.