At a summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his sorrow for the suffering of Koreans during Japan’s colonization of the peninsula from 1910 to 1945. Kishida acknowledged the painful and difficult experiences of many Koreans during that period, which included forced labor and sexual slavery. Japan and South Korea, both key allies of the United States, have had a long-standing dispute over historical issues related to Japan’s brutal colonial occupation of the Korean peninsula. However, President Yoon chose to put those differences aside and visit Tokyo in March for an initial rapprochement.
Kishida emphasized that, as the Prime Minister of Japan, it is his responsibility to carry on the efforts of his predecessors who overcame difficult periods and to cooperate with South Korea, starting with President Yoon, to work towards a better future. The two countries are attempting to resolve their differences at a time when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is intensifying the development and testing of weapons, prompting increased defense cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Japan, including a series of large-scale military exercises.
The statement by Kishida is significant in that it reflects an attempt by Japan to reconcile with South Korea over historical issues that have strained relations between the two nations. The Prime Minister’s expression of empathy for the victims of Japan’s colonization of the Korean Peninsula is a step towards healing the wounds of the past and moving forward. This effort towards reconciliation is also important given the growing tensions in the region, particularly with North Korea’s aggressive military posture. The United States has emphasized the importance of its alliances with South Korea and Japan in maintaining peace and stability in the region, and the success of efforts towards reconciliation between Japan and South Korea will contribute to this goal.