[Editorial] Expectations of improving Japanese-Korean relations

Posted on : 2009-09-17 12:37 KST Modified on : 2009-09-17 12:37 KST

Japan’s new coalition government of the Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party and People’s New Party led by Democratic Party Chairman Hatoyama Yukio indicates that the Liberal Democratic Party’s one-party system that has dominated since 1955 is over, and an “era of the people’s administration” centered on the Democratic Party, has begun. Just as the Hatoyama administration marks a new era in Japanese political history, substantial changes by the new administration in internal policy and foreign policy are expected.

Our area of greatest interest is Korea-Japan relations. The fact that things have been unable to progress despite both sides stressing at every meeting the importance of a future-oriented relationship is largely the fault of Japan’s regressive understanding of history. Specifically, issues of the Yasukuni Shrine, history textbook distortions and Dokdo sovereignty have added friction and hindered the development of ties between the two nations.

The Hatoyama administration is revealing a forward-leading attitude on issues of history, unlike the previous Liberal Democratic Party administrations. This is a very positive step in bringing about stronger Korea-Japan relations. First, Prime Minister Hatoyama has clearly stated he will not pray at the Yasukuni Shrine. The Democratic Party appears active in the issues of restitution for the Korean comfort women and allowing Korean residents in Japan to participate in local elections. When you consider that the textbook issue and the Dokdo issue are, temperamentally speaking, difficult to fundamentally alleviate, then realistically this new administration signals the birth of the friendliest Japanese government towards the historical issues. Another positive addition is that key party and government positions are being filled with figures who value friendly ties with neighboring countries like South Korea and China such as Foreign Minister Okada Katsuya and Democratic Party Secretary-general Ozawa Ichiro.

The Hatoyama administration has presented a foreign policy position of a close and egalitarian relationship with the U.S., in addition to placing importance on Asia. This indicates that it will not be unilaterally pulled along by the U.S., and as a key country in the region, it will take a leading role in forming an East Asian community. This does not mean, however, that Japan will immediately shift its foreign policy priorities from the U.S. to Asia. What it may mean realistically is that Japan will shift from complete devotion to the U.S. on policy towards placing value equally on its relations with the U.S. and other countries in Asia. This is a major change. It also appears highly likely that North Korea-Japan relations will gradually move towards dialogue as Tokyo observes progress in North Korea-U.S. relations.

Nonetheless, urgent tasks for the Democratic Party include internal reform in order to clean out the evils of neoliberalism and bureaucratism, and victory in the next year’s House of Councilors election. Accordingly, foreign policy changes are unlikely to catch the Democratic Party’s eye right away. Meanwhile, it is important for South Korea to maintain patience and push for friendlier relations rather than expect drastic progress on issues of Korea-Japan history.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]