Comment on “(Editorial) Japan and South Korea – Efforts to Prevent Backsliding” [in Japanese]
On August 16, 2023, Professor Maiko Ichihara of the Graduate School of Law commented on the Asahi Shimbun article, “(Editorial) Japan and South Korea – Efforts to Prevent Backsliding.” The article describes hope for improved relations between Japan and South Korea in response to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s commitment to strengthening security and economic cooperation with Japan and the importance of taking lessons to prevent backsliding in the relations. Professor Ichihara stressed the importance of President Yoon’s strong initiative to improve relations between the two countries in the face of China’s growing challenge to the regional order. She also noted that the South Korean society is severely polarized, and commented that Japan needs to take serious steps to solidify the direction of improved relations between the two countries which would be acceptable to the South Korean opposition parties and that the Japanese people as individuals also need to reflect on their nationalism.
