Japan FM Urges Remembering Korean Pain Over Colonization

Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said Tuesday, “I recognize that Korean pride was deeply bruised when they lost their country.”

In a written interview with The Dong-A Ilbo, he said, “I think we should never forget the painful minds of the victims,” adding, “Based on such recognition of the past, I want to strengthen (Japan’s) future-oriented friendly relationship with (South) Korea in looking forward to the next 100 years.”

Okada also pledged close bilateral cooperation for the successful hosting in November of both the Group of 20 summit in Seoul and the APEC Summit in Yokohama, Japan.

“Japan has consistently shown strong support for (South) Korea on the sinking of the warship Cheonan,” he said. “There is no change in the direction Japan will seek on the normalization of diplomatic relations with North Korea after comprehensively addressing all pending issues such as the North’s kidnappings, nuclear weapons and missiles.

On suffrage for foreign nationals in Japan, including ethnic Koreans, Okada said, “We are discussing this from the perspective of creating a society that recognizes multicultural coexistence and various values,” but added, “We will wait and see the discussion at the Diet.”

The Japanese foreign minister also put top priority on Japan’s alliance with the U.S. in diplomatic strategies, a stance similar to Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

jkmas@donga.com