Takaichi and Lee Maintains Shuttle Diplomacy

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had a meeting with the President of Republic of Korea (ROK), Lee Jae Myung, taking opportunity of participating in the summit meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) at Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 30th. Both leaders reconfirmed maintenance of close bilateral relationship which they succeeded from their predecessors. Built in the trilateral security framework including the United States, both countries do not have a choice to confront each other on such issue as historical dispute.

Since inauguration of Takaichi as the prime minister, it has been concerned that she would not be able to manage bilateral relationship with ROK. Takaichi identifies herself as a successor of former Prime Minitser Shinzo Abe, whose administration exacerbated Japan-ROK relationship to the worst level after those countries normalized their relations in 1956. Considering then ROK president, Moon Jae-in, is the political mentor of Lee, it has not been expected that Japan and ROK can develop a good relationship under their leaders,  liberal Lee and conservative Takaichi.

 

Acknowledging negative sentiment of neighbor countries toward Japan, Takaichi refrained from her regular visit to Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines war criminals of Imperial Japan that has a history of occupying Korean Peninsula. In the press conference at her inauguration, Takaichi emphasized her fondness for South Korean culture, including Korean sea weed, cosmetics and Korean TV drama.

 

In their first meeting, Takaichi and Lee reconfirmed maintenance of “shuttle diplomacy,” which was established by their predecessors. Takaichi leads a minority government in the Diet. She cannot afford to slowdown diplomacy toward neighbor countries, which may cause accusation from the opposition parties and affect other domestic policies. Lee upholds “pragmatic diplomacy” to prioritize national interests over political or ideological preference.

 

In September, China held a memorial military parade with participation of the supreme leaders of Russia and North Korea. Japan and ROK share common interest to manage those opponent powers with engagement of the U.S. The day before Japan-ROK summit, Japan had a defense minister-level meeting with the U.S., reconfirming enhancement of deterrence and manageability of their alliance. U.S. President Donald Trump approved ROK’s possession of nuclear submarine in the meeting with Lee on the same day of Japan-ROK summit.

 

Takaichi and Lee agreed on developing Japan-ROK relations in “a future-oriented and stable manner,” which is a usual phrase for both governments to hope moderate relationship, putting difficult issues like historical dispute aside. However, domestic moves of their supporters in both countries, the conservative powers in Japan and the liberals in ROK, can deteriorate their relationship as the history of their bilateral relations shows.

 

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