Japan expects ties with Korea to keep moving forward after Kishida's term: top envoy

Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima speaks during an interview at his official residence in Seoul, Aug. 26. Yonhap

Japan believes that the positive progress in its relations with Korea, driven by their leaders, will continue even after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's term in office ends, its top envoy to Seoul has said.

Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima made the remarks, as Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is set to choose its new party leader in next month's election. The winner will succeed Kishida as Japan's new prime minister.

The Sept. 27 election is drawing attention to how committed Kishida's successor will be to maintaining the positive momentum in improving relations with its neighbor.

"Given the current security situation surrounding Japan, Korea and the broader Asia, I believe there is no other option than continuing to advance the very close cooperation between Japan and Korea, and among Japan, Korea and the United States," Mizushima said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Monday.

Mizushima, who previously served as the ambassador to Israel, took up his new post in Seoul in May.

"The good relationship between Korea and Japan was achieved through the trust between President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida, but we expect that the new prime minister will quickly establish a trusting relationship with President Yoon and further advance the important bilateral relations," Mizushima said.

Bilateral relations between Seoul and Tokyo have significantly warmed after Yoon Suk Yeol announced in March last year that Korea will compensate Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor on its own without asking for contributions from Japanese companies.

Yoon's decision led to a dramatic improvement in the ties, marked by the resumption of "shuttle diplomacy," or regular visits by the leaders.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, shakes hands with Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington, D.C., July 11. Yonhap

Yoon and Kishida have since met 11 times in person, including their first summit in May last year.

Nonetheless, the recent inscription of Japan's old Sado gold and silver mines as a UNESCO World Heritage site has dampened the thawing mood. The Sado mine complex was a site where many Koreans were forcibly taken to toil during World War II, when Korea was under Japan's colonial rule.

Criticism arose in Korea over its government's "lack of efforts" to get Japan to properly reflect the coercive nature of the mobilization in the historical presentation at the site.

"Sensitive issues also exist," Mizushima said. "It is crucial that both sides find solutions or directions based on a cooperative approach rather than a confrontational one," he said.

Mizushima said that Japan is "aware of the interest" in Korea in the Sado mine issue, and discussions are under way to hold a memorial service to honor "all workers, including those from the Korean Peninsula."

"I understand that they are also considering holding it annually, and that they plan to discuss it as they listen to the opinions of many people," he said.

As next year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, Japan is in talks with Korea to plan for what will be a "new turning point" in the bilateral ties, Mizushima said.

"I believe there are areas where mutual understanding between Japan and Korea is lacking, and I hope that initiatives can be undertaken to enhance understanding in those areas," he said.

"The Japan-Korea relations are progressing in a forward-looking manner," Mizushima said. "I hope this positive situation remains stable and does not regress, and I am committed to working toward that goal." (Yonhap)