Promoting a Success in Japan-ROK Relations

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met the President of Republic of Korea, Lee Jae Myung, in Nara city, the hometown of Takaichi on January 13th. Both leaders agreed on enhancing ties on economic security, reconfirming continuance of “shuttle diplomacy” between them. Takaichi and Lee tried to emphasize that their relationship is quite well, considering the impact of the meeting for international relations and domestic politics. 

It became the second opportunity for them to meet as the leaders, following last October when Takaichi visited Seoul to participate in annual summit of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). In the last meeting, Takaichi and Lee reconfirmed shuttle diplomacy, which they had succeeded from their predecessors. Lee’s visit to Nara is implementation of their promise.

 

Takaichi and Lee agreed in Nara on setting up a strategic and mutually beneficial discussion by officials of both government on economic security with detailed discussion over maintaining supply chain of important materials. It is crucial for both governments to secure strategically crucial minerals including rare earths, which China is strictly controlling.

 

Following Takaichi’s comment on Taiwan contingency last November, China has been imposing pressure on Takaichi administration, including embargo of dual-use equipment specifically targeting Japan. Lee expressed his willingness to promote better trilateral relationship among the ROK, Japan and China in his state visit to Beijing earlier this month. 

 

Takaichi and Lee recognized their responsibility for regional stability, discussing strategic importance of Japan-ROK relations and their trilateral security cooperation including the United States. Considering U.S. President Donald Trump’s involvement in issues in the western hemisphere, including military strike on Venezuela, both leaders underscored their close relationship for regional security. They also reconfirmed their commitment to a complete denuclearization of North Korea.

 

There are some unsolved issues between Japan and ROK. Collecting remains of Korean workers in Chosei Coal Mine in Yamaguchi is one of them. Although the remains have been left in the mine for a long time since it was submerged by accident in 1942, some remains were recently discovered. Takaichi and Lee decided to start scientific investigation on the remains.

 

Takaichi once argued that ministers of Japan needed to participate in the ceremony of the Day of Takeshima (February 22nd) to cerebrate Japan’s ownership of Takeshima which ROK is effectively controlling. If ministers of Takaichi Cabinet attend the ceremony next month, the bilateral relations will be exacerbated.

 

The ROK is still blocking some Japanese sea products, protesting discharge of “processed” water from crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. On the other hand, ROK hoped to achieve support of Japan for joining Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as environment of international trade has become tight with Trump’s imposing additional tariffs on foreign goods.

 

Takaichi is considering a snap election in February. Lee needs to make better relationship with Japan than his predecessor had done, as a news report came up the same day that ROK public prosecutors demanded death penalty for former ROK president Yoon Suk Yeol. Both leaders had a reason that they needed to make their summit meeting successful.

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