Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, supported statement from the President of S. Korea, Moon Jae-in, that Japan and S. Korea are close neighbors (Image via The Straits Times)

S. Korea is Japan's good neighbor and friend: Abe

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Politics & Economic
News Flash Japan
Jan 21, 2020
1983
Japan’s effort to reconcile with South Korea (S. Korea) is still ongoing. On Monday, the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, said that S. Korea is the most important partner for Japan. The conciliatory statement came amid the trade row and de-escalation of the bilateral relations to their lowest points in decades.

During his policy speech in front of the Diet, Abe emphasized the importance of diplomacy with neighboring countries. Then, he mentioned that Japan and S. Korea shared basic values and strategic interests.

Moreover, the President of S. Korea, Moon Jae-in, last week called for both countries’ effort to resolve the wartime issue (forced labor, and comfort women). With a similar tone as Abe, Moon called Japan the “closest neighbor” as well.

So far, Japan and S. Korea had tried to dissipate the conflict. For example, Seoul canceled the termination of GSOMIA with Japan.

In return, Tokyo partially eased the export control of high-tech material to Seoul.

Besides, Moon also told S. Korean press that S. Korea will cooperate with Japan for the success of the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Japan, as he saw that the sporting event could be used as the means to mend their strained ties.

Source: https://bit.ly/37oFscd

Politics , Bilateral , Conflict , Export-Import , Trade , Asia , Japan , Shinzo-Abe , S.Korea , Moon-Jae-in