{"id":2206636,"date":"2024-09-30T16:40:24","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T07:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2206636"},"modified":"2024-10-01T14:46:01","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T05:46:01","slug":"why-japans-new-prime-minister-could-pave-way-for-better-ties-with-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/09\/why-japans-new-prime-minister-could-pave-way-for-better-ties-with-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Japan\u2019s new prime minister could pave way for better ties with South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"
Shigeru Ishiba\u2019s <\/span>election<\/span><\/a> as president of Japan\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n While Ishiba\u2019s 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 \u201cAsian NATO,\u201d could exacerbate tensions.<\/span><\/p>\n 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\u2019s strategic and economic interests.<\/span><\/p>\n HISTORICAL ISSUES AND DIPLOMATIC OPPORTUNITIES<\/b><\/p>\n Ishiba is known for his <\/span>moderate views<\/span><\/a> on Japan\u2019s wartime legacy and has openly criticized efforts by conservative factions within the LDP to downplay Japan\u2019s militaristic past. He has so far refused to visit the Yasukuni Shrine, a controversial site that enshrines Class-A war criminals, setting him apart from <\/span>previous Japanese leaders<\/span><\/a> who have inflamed tensions by visiting.<\/span><\/p>\n This stance is significant given the long-standing historical grievances that continue to strain relations between South Korea and Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n For South Korea, Ishiba\u2019s willingness to acknowledge Japan\u2019s wartime responsibilities could lead to more productive dialogue between the two nations, particularly on issues related to <\/span>wartime forced labor<\/span><\/a> and reparations.<\/span><\/p>\n These issues have been at the center of diplomatic tensions, especially since South Korea\u2019s Supreme Court <\/span>ordered<\/span><\/a> Japanese companies to compensate forced labor victims in 2018. Improved dialogue on these sensitive topics could ease tensions that have hampered cooperation between the two countries for years.<\/span><\/p>\n However, there are still significant obstacles to improved relations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For one, <\/span>conservative factions<\/span><\/a> within the LDP remain influential, and their resistance to acknowledging Japan\u2019s wartime actions could limit Ishiba\u2019s ability to pursue reconciliation fully.<\/span><\/p>\n Further, South Korea\u2019s main opposition Democratic Party, which has been critical of President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s perceived concessions to Japan, will <\/span>likely demand<\/span><\/a> more than symbolic gestures from Ishiba before easing its criticism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Diplomatic engagement may improve, but meaningful reconciliation will require sustained efforts from both sides.<\/span><\/p>\n