Strong Korea-Japan relationship is a must: Japanese ambassador
Koichi Mizushima, Japanese ambassador to Korea, speaks at a Kwanhun Club forum at the Press Center in central Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
“Japan and Korea are neighbors living next door, and neither can move away. A strong bilateral relationship is no longer optional, but essential,” said Koichi Mizushima, Japan's ambassador to Korea.
The remarks came during a press forum held at the Seoul Press Center on Friday, as Mizushima spoke about the future of Korea-Japan relations.
“As neighbors, we have had certain problems rooted in history,” he said. “But it is the responsibility of the current generation to build a firm foundation for a future-oriented relationship.”
Mizushima went on to describe the current international political landscape as “highly fluid,” citing North Korea’s nuclear activities, China’s diplomatic and military moves, the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict between the United States and Iran.
"Japan and South Korea, as two like-minded nations that share common values, need to cooperate," he said.
He also stressed the importance of the United States in that equation, saying the three countries need to demonstrate strategic coordination built on the strong Korea-U.S. alliance and Japan-U.S. alliance.
Regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the ambassador said he hoped the crisis would be resolved quickly and that Japan was prepared to make various diplomatic efforts based on its friendly ties with countries across the region.
“Peace and stability in the Middle East are crucial for both Japan and Korea, as the two countries rely on the region for most of their oil,” he said, though adding he was not aware of any specific bilateral coordination on the matter.
Some have raised concerns that Japan is seeking to revise its pacifist Constitution and transform itself into a war-capable nation. Mizushima denied that such a shift would happen.
“Japan has served the international community as a pacifist state for more than 80 years after the war." the ambassador said.
"The Japanese people do not believe Japan should militarize again.”
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.