Why Japan’s new prime minister could pave way for better ties with South Korea



Analysis Why Japan’s new prime minister could pave way for better ties with South Korea Ishiba’s moderate stance on historical issues could facilitate cooperation, if military focus doesn’t raise alarm John LeeSeptember 30, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Japanese Prime Minister-elect Shigeru Ishiba delivers a speech, Sept. 27, 2024 \| Image: Shigeru Ishiba via Twitter Shigeru Ishiba’s election as president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has paved the way for him to be sworn in as prime minister on Tuesday, a leadership change with major implications for ties with neighboring South Korea. While Ishiba’s more moderate stance on historical grievances between Seoul and Tokyo may open avenues for improved bilateral relations, his aggressive security policies, including calls for an “Asian NATO,” could exacerbate tensions. His cabinet appointments, including defense and foreign ministers with strong security backgrounds, signal that Japan may pursue a more assertive regional strategy, directly affecting South Korea’s strategic and economic © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01Trump’s Russian diesel deal may leave South Korea’s refining boom intact 02Trump’s Alaska LNG claim shows who really runs the US-South Korea alliance 03South Korea’s missile defense push raises new questions over wartime stocks 04South Korea bank hacks expose weak links beyond core financial systems 05Lee-Zelensky feud exposes South Korea’s widening Ukraine policy dilemma 06Lee Jae Myung’s ‘pacemaker’ strategy tests South Korea’s leverage with Trump 07Trump’s Korea investment victory lap masks safeguards Seoul still controls 08North Korean POW dispute tests Seoul-Kyiv trust and future Ukraine policy

Analysis

Why Japan’s new prime minister could pave way for better ties with South Korea

Ishiba’s moderate stance on historical issues could facilitate cooperation, if military focus doesn’t raise alarm

John LeeSeptember 30, 2024

Why Japan’s new prime minister could pave way for better ties with South Korea

Japanese Prime Minister-elect Shigeru Ishiba delivers a speech, Sept. 27, 2024 | Image: Shigeru Ishiba via Twitter

Shigeru Ishiba’s election as president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has paved the way for him to be sworn in as prime minister on Tuesday, a leadership change with major implications for ties with neighboring South Korea.

While Ishiba’s more moderate stance on historical grievances between Seoul and Tokyo may open avenues for improved bilateral relations, his aggressive security policies, including calls for an “Asian NATO,” could exacerbate tensions.

His cabinet appointments, including defense and foreign ministers with strong security backgrounds, signal that Japan may pursue a more assertive regional strategy, directly affecting South Korea’s strategic and economic

Why Japan’s new prime minister could pave way for better ties with South Korea

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John Lee