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Yomiuri Shimbun
a day ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan, ROK Expected to Deepen Future-Oriented Cooperation; Nations on Equal Economic Footing, Share Common Challenges
Japan and South Korea marked the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations on Sunday. The two countries once interacted as an industrialized country and a developing country, but they have now become equal partners, on par with each other in economic terms. They are also facing common challenges, including the drastically changing international situation and populations that are rapidly graying with chronically low birthrates. It will be essential for Japan and South Korea to deepen their future-oriented cooperation while carefully dealing with historical issues that could trigger conflicts. 'There are many fields in which we can cooperate by sharing knowledge. We want to further broaden the areas for Japan-South Korea cooperation and pass the baton of cooperation to future generations,' Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said at a ceremony in Tokyo on Thursday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties. Ishiba referred to regional revitalization and measures to address the low birthrate, issues on which he is focusing. The prime minister called on South Korea to work together on issues where the two countries share common interests, apparently in consideration of the fact that South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung, who took office earlier this month, is promoting a pragmatic approach by focusing on practical benefits. South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world following the Korean War. However, it managed to achieve high economic growth, known as the 'Miracle on the Hangang River,' partly due to the normalization of diplomatic ties with Japan. The Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea and The Agreement on the Settlement of Problems concerning Property and Claims and on Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Korea were both signed on June 22, 1965. Via these agreements, the two countries acknowledged that the issue of claims between them had been settled, under the premise that Japan would provide South Korea with economic cooperation worth $500 million — about twice the size of South Korea's national budget at that time — establishing the foundation of later Japan-South Korea relations. Currently, the two countries have about the same level of gross domestic product per capita. In the field of semiconductors, Japan has advantages in materials and manufacturing equipment while South Korea has strengths in production, making the two countries increasingly mutually dependent. Japan and South Korea also share the problem of a poor working environment for women, which is considered one of the factors behind the low birthrate in both countries. Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, while South Korea stood at 101st. 'Complimentary partners' President Lee reportedly expressed a sense of crisis over his country's low birthrate when he met Koichi Aiboshi, a former Japanese ambassador to South Korea, in December 2021. '[South Korea] has spent a considerable amount of budgetary funds on measures to counter the low birthrate, but the situation has failed to see any progress,' Lee reportedly said. He also told Aiboshi that he would like to find out what is done in other countries to use them as references. 'To collaborate with President Lee, who is focusing on the economy, it will be important to explore specific cases for cooperation,' Aiboshi said. In a congratulatory video message for an event held in Seoul on June 16 to mark the anniversary of diplomatic relations, Lee said, 'South Korea and Japan are key partners who must cooperate closely in responding to a rapidly changing global landscape.' In his first summit meeting with Ishiba in Canada later in the week, Lee also said Japan and South Korea are 'complimentary partners.' South Korea experienced a political vacuum for about six months due to the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. It is an urgent task for the country to respond to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff measures and demand to increase defense spending as well as a military alliance between Russia and North Korea. Like Japan, South Korea relies on energy imports, and stability in the East and South China Seas and the Middle East is directly linked with its economy. According to Japan's Defense Ministry officials, the ministry examined a plan to provide maintenance work in Japan for South Korea's F-35 fighters, as a symbol of improved bilateral ties during the rule of former President Yoon's administration. In the Asia-Pacific region, maintenance bases for F-35 jets are located only in Japan and Australia. South Korea is cautious about defense equipment cooperation with Japan, so it currently has to take its F-35 fighters to Australia for maintenance. Changing public opinion South Korea's political left wing, which supports President Lee's administration, is strict about historical issues and tends to be conciliatory to China and North Korea. Therefore, Japan remains wary of the new administration. However, in an opinion poll conducted by South Korean's Korea JoongAng Ilbo this month regarding the country's diplomatic relations with Japan, 49.6% of respondents sought future-oriented cooperation in such fields as the economy, technology, security and the environment. This exceeds the 31.5% who sought the resolution of historical issues. The groundwork is nearly completed to take cooperation between the two countries to a new level.
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
At 60, Seoul, Tokyo toast to what's next — not what was
Anchored by the slogan 'Joining Hands for a Better Future,' the reception commemorating 60 years of diplomatic normalization between Korea and Japan spotlighted a clear shared commitment to transform the two countries' relationship into a forward-looking, strategic partnership fit for today's turbulent world. Beneath the chandeliers of a ballroom brimming with guests from all walks of life — from diplomats and business leaders to young students — the air buzzed with optimism and the clinking of glasses at a reception hosted by the Japanese Embassy at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Monday evening. South Korea and Japan signed the Treaty on Basic Relations on June 22, 1965, and exchanged instruments of ratification on December 18 of that year, formally normalizing diplomatic ties. The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of that milestone. "The fact that Japan-Korea relations are becoming closer and developing is something no one can deny,' Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Mizushima told participants during the reception on Monday. "Amid today's shifting strategic environment, the importance of Korea-Japan relations continues to grow — and the relationship has now reached an irreversible stage." Back in 1965, annual travel between the two countries stood at just around 10,000. In 2024, it surpassed 12 million, averaging more than triple the 1965 total in a single day. Japan's investment in Korea has also soared, from $500,000 in 1965 to $6.12 billion in 2024, making it Korea's largest investor, Mizushima said. "Sixty years corresponds to a full cycle — a hwangap — in the East Asian cultural sphere where Japan and Korea are both located. In other words, one full cycle has passed since the normalization of Japan-Korea diplomatic ties,' Mizushima said. 'This signifies that Japan-Korea relations now stand at a new starting point. We must not remain complacent with the present, but instead support the next generation who will carry the future of both nations, and begin the next cycle to dramatically advance Japan-Korea relations with full momentum.' The evening vividly illustrated how far the two countries have come since the 1965 treaty, as relations evolved from government-to-government dialogue into a broad web of economic, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The ballroom was filled with music as students at the Seoul Japanese School choir performed, including a Korean rendition of Spring in My Hometown. Arirang, a beloved Korean folk song, was also performed, sung and arranged by Japan's Mikage Project, a group dedicated to composing and reinterpreting traditional Japanese folk music. Korean pianist Lee Kyung-mi, who spent seven years in Japan from the age of nine and made her musical debut there, performed at the event, continuing her long-standing role as a cultural bridge between Korea and Japan through friendship concerts — even during strained diplomatic times. The event also featured a joint performance by Korean trot singer Kim Da-hyun and Japanese artist Azuma Aki. Both appeared on Korea-Japan King of Singers, the first-ever joint Korean-Japanese music competition show, co-produced by Korea's MBN and Japan's Fuji TV to promote friendship through music. "I hope that Korea-Japan relations will continue to develop in a stable and future-oriented manner based on the achievements and progress made thus far,' South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said in his congratulatory video message, adding that 'the two countries are important partners who must seek responses together amid rapidly changing international circumstances.' 'Joining hands for a better future — let us move forward together!' Akihisa Nagashima, special advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, underscored that "close communication and expanding the scope of cooperation between the two countries is not a choice but a necessity in light of today's grave international environment." Ryu Jin, chair of the Federation of Korean Industries and chair of Poongsan Corp., offered a toast on behalf of the Korean side, following a kagami-biraki ceremony — a traditional Japanese ritual that involves breaking open a sake barrel to symbolize harmony and new beginnings. 'The Korean business community is fully committed to supporting President Lee Jae-myung's new pragmatic administration in further developing future-oriented cooperation between our two countries,' Ryu said. 'Today, Korea-Japan relations stand at a new starting point for the next 60 years.' dagyumji@
Yomiuri Shimbun
05-06-2025
- General
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japanese PM Ishiba Seeks Early Summit with South Korea's Lee to Boost Bilateral Ties; Meeting Could Come as Early as This Month
The Yomiuri Shimbun Prime Minister Ishiba answers questions from reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday, following the South Korean presidential election. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is seeking an early in-person summit meeting with South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung, aiming to build a trusting relationship, potentially during an international conference to be held this month. Ishiba plans to have a telephone conversation soon and intends to call for continued cooperation in diplomacy and security, including among Japan, South Korea and the United States. While speaking to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday, Ishiba congratulated Lee, who advocates practical diplomacy, on his inauguration speech. 'This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. I want to strengthen Japan-South Korea and Japan-U.S.-South Korea cooperation with President Lee,' said Ishiba, adding that 'a summit meeting should be held as soon as possible.' The two leaders could potentially meet at either the Group of Seven summit in Canada or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in the Netherlands, both of which are scheduled for this month. South Korea is expected to be invited to the Group of Seven summit. June 22 will mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea, and commemorative events are scheduled in both countries. Bearing in mind Lee's repeated past criticism of Japan, the prime minister told reporters, 'While comments have been made previously, he also referred to Japan as an important partner during the election campaign.' 'By having a heart-to-heart talk and actively engaging with each other, I believe the bilateral ties will become stronger. As the government, we will also make efforts.' Many have expressed concern about the left wing, which has historically taken a tough stance on Japan regarding historical issues. However, in his inauguration speech, Lee emphasized practical diplomacy and mentioned 'South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation.' His comment is seen as a response to the administration of the U.S. President Donald Trump and the rapprochement between Russia and North Korea. 'Even if he may not be as eager as the previous administration [to engage with Japan], President Lee must also intend to stabilize Japan-South Korea relations given the current international climate,' a Foreign Ministry senior official said.
