Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elected Shigeru Ishiba, a moderate, as its new leader on Friday. Ishiba will be sworn in today as Japan’s 102nd prime minister, following the tradition that the party leader assumes the role. His predecessor, Fumio Kishida, decided not to seek reelection due to falling approval ratings after a fundraising scandal. Kishida had served as prime minister for the past three years.
In the preliminary vote, Ishiba was defeated by his right-wing rival, Sanae Takaichi, but secured the leadership in a runoff against her. With the formation of Japan’s new cabinet, anticipation is growing in South Korea about the future of bilateral relations. Ishiba has taken proactive positions on key issues between the two nations, including unresolved matters related to modern history.
Ishiba has long been an outsider within the ruling party, often clashing with influential hardliners like former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Despite having a relatively small support base, he managed to s
ecure the leadership by promising to steer the party out of the turmoil caused by the fundraising scandal.
He is seen as having a different perspective on history compared to moreconservative members of the LDP. Notably, he has described Japan’s role in the Pacific War as an “war of aggression.” He has also refrained from visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors class-A war criminals, setting him apart from many in his party.
Ishiba has emphasized the importance of Japan sincerely acknowledging its responsibilities toward war victims while also recognizing its history of aggression and colonial rule. He expressed hope that Japan and Korea could return to the era of former President Kim Dae-jung and former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, a time characterized by unprecedented friendship between the two nations.
In a book published just before the LDP vote, Ishiba noted that Korea-Japan relations had significantly improved under President Yoon Suk Yeol’s outstanding leadership. “Japan should make the most of t
his opportunity,” Ishiba wrote. His remarks have raised hopes for improved bilateral relations. In contrast, the Kishida Cabinet faced criticism for failing to achieve tangible progress in relations, despite the Yoon administration’s steadfast efforts and concessions.
Despite rising hopes of improved relations, it may be premature to expect significant changes. Ishiba is likely to encounter challenges as an outsider in the LDP, which is dominated by right-wing conservatives. Additionally, he has taken a firm stance on the contentious Dokdo issue, asserting it as Japan’s territory. Ishiba has also opposed any further compensation for Koreans conscripted for forced labor during World War II, arguing that this issue was resolved by the 1965 agreement between Japan and Korea.
Ishiba, a former defense minister, has been advocating for the establishment of a multilateral collective defense system among Asian nations, similar to NATO. He has also proposed amending Japan’s Peace Constitution to officially recognize
the country’s armed forces. These positions raise concerns about Ishiba’s inclination to support a resurgence of Japan’s military power.
Next year will be a pivotal moment in Korea-Japan relations, as it marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Bilateral relations have undergone significant fluctuations based on Japan’s positions regarding historical issues.
The bilateral relationship entered a future-oriented, friendly era in 1995 with Japan’s adoption of the Murayama Statement and in 1998 with the Korea-Japan Partnership Declaration, where Tokyo expressed remorse and apologized for its past wrongdoings. However, relations deteriorated when Japan failed to uphold this commitment. In March last year, the Yoon administration proposed initiatives to improve bilateral relations, including compensation from third parties for Korean victims of forced labor, urging, “Now that we have filled half of the glass, it is time for Japan to fill the remainder.” The newly formed Ishiba Cabinet must develop proactive
measures, acknowledging the pain of the victims caused by Japan’s past actions.
Source: Yonhap News Agency