Kishida pledges 'cooperation through close solidarity'

On Thursday, JoongAng Holdings Chairman Hong Seok-hyun interviewed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on a wide range of topics related to Korea-Japan relations at the prime minister's office in Tokyo.

JoongAng Holdings Chairman Hong Seok-hyun, right, interviews Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Thursday. [JUN MIN-KYU]

On Thursday, JoongAng Holdings Chairman Hong Seok-hyun interviewed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on a wide range of topics related to Korea-Japan relations at the prime minister's office in Tokyo.

Some of the key issues that were discussed included the restoration of so-called “shuttle diplomacy” between Seoul and Tokyo, the prime minister’s recent remarks on the countries’ troubled shared history and strengthening economic and security cooperation with their common ally, the United States.

The following is an edited excerpt of Chairman Hong's interview with Prime Minister Kishida.

Q : You visited Korea earlier than expected. I wonder how you came to visit Korea early. Was it a way to express support for President Yoon’s decision to improve relations between South Korea and Japan, or was it intended to repay him?

A : I would like to once again applaud President Yoon’s determination and decisiveness in March to come up with a way to resolve the impasse in our bilateral relations. I also share President Yoon’s strong will to bolster Japan-Korea relations. I thus decided to come to Korea early in order to exchange our views before the Group of Seven (G7) summit.

Q : In Korea, there was a lot of speculation about how progressive your message would be regarding the issue of Korean forced labor victims. During your visit to Seoul, you said, “I myself am heartbroken that so many [Korean] people underwent very difficult and sad experiences in the harsh conditions of the time.” That remark appeared to be an expression made after much deliberation. Did you coordinate your comments with the Korean government or decide on your own?

A : That remark represented my honest opinion. Of course, it was not coordinated with the Korean side in advance.

Q : Nevertheless, your comments did not meet the expectations of the Korean people, who were anticipating an expression of “sad remorse and sincere apology” contained in the 1998 Joint Declaration. Is there a reason why this kind of expression was not included in your remarks?

A : During the talks [with President Yoon], I also clearly stated that the Japanese position is one that accepts the position of the previous Cabinet on the issue of historical awareness, including the 1998 Joint Declaration. My remarks were an expression of my own thoughts in my own words added to the Japanese government’s established position. I hope many people will understand my attitude and thoughts.

Q : You announced that you would visit the memorial to Korean atomic bombing victims in the Hiroshima Peace Park along with President Yoon. This would mark the first time that the leaders of both countries will visit this place, which is deeply significant as a symbol of the importance of peace. Was this visit scheduled at the request of Korea, or was it your own idea?

A : I thought President Yoon would like to see the memorial for Korean atomic bombing victims when he visits Hiroshima. As a native of Hiroshima and the host of the G7 summit, I first proposed the idea to President Yoon, and he agreed to participate in a remembrance ceremony. I hope it will be a meaningful visit.

Q : The recent summit is considered to be especially significant in putting bilateral relations back on track. However, some in Korea believe that future cooperation between the two countries can only begin in earnest when Japan unveils its own set of measures to follow up on the Korean government’s announcement of a compensation scheme for forced labor victims in March. Can we expect Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan Steel to contribute to funds that will be distributed by the Korean government to victims?

A : Japan believes the [the plan] will restore the health of the relationship between the two countries after it fell into a very difficult situation due to the [Korean] Supreme Court ruling in 2018. I feel that future-oriented efforts in various fields, such as security and economic cooperation, already started moving dynamically while I visited Korea. But as a government official, I should refrain from commenting on the response of private companies.

Q : Relations between Korea and Japan should move beyond the past and into the future. Should we expect a joint declaration from you and President Yoon along the lines of the 1998 Joint Declaration by President Kim Dae-jung and Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi from 25 years ago, which itself is reminiscent of the Élysée Treaty signed by French President Charles de Gaulle and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer in 1963?

A : I can hardly think of a more important time for cooperation between Korea, the United States and Japan. We are currently trying to cooperate in various fields. Although it is difficult to predict a specific diplomatic schedule or result, I have agreed to deepen trust with President Yoon, discuss the regional situation, and cooperate on various issues facing the international community. We intend to pursue detailed cooperation through close solidarity and communicate this in due time.

Q : However, it is unusual to discharge wastewater from a nuclear power plant involved in a major meltdown. While the issue of safety can be addressed with scientific evidence, the perception of safety is a different matter. Although the dispatch of a Korean inspection team to the Fukushima plant was agreed upon during your summit with President Yoon, some in Korea believe it will be merely an inspection [carrying no weight]. You also said during your visit to Seoul that Japan “does not recognize discharge from the plant as adversely affecting the health of the Korean people and the marine environment.” To what extent are you willing to accept a joint investigation and also a joint verification of the safety of wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant?

A : Japan is undergoing a review from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which wields international authority regarding nuclear power, and has been providing sincere explanations based on scientific evidence with high transparency. As the prime minister of Japan, I would like to say once again that I do not recognize the wastewater discharge as adversely affecting the health of my own people, the Korean people or the marine environment. The inspection will take place under the authority of the IAEA, which is accepted by both Korea and Japan. It is my understanding that Korean experts and Korean institutions are also contributing to IAEA reviews and analysis of Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treated water. We will try to deepen Koreans’ understanding of ALPS-treated water discharge and help add to their sense of safety by providing transparent explanations based on scientific evidence.

Q : Both Korea and Japan are affected by the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and the Chips Act. Are the two countries willing to respond jointly?

A : In order to strengthen the supply chain of semiconductors and batteries, I think it is important to coordinate efforts between countries and regions that are in agreement [on these issues]. Korea, Japan and the United States are important partners in this field, and it is important that we respect each other’s strengths and supplement each other.

Q : Cooperation between the United States and Japan on the establishment of a global semiconductor supply chain is taking shape. In the past, there was active cooperation between Korea and Japan in the semiconductor and display fields. Do you think a similar alliance between Korea and Japan can be made regarding the development of AI-based autonomous vehicles?

A : In the semiconductor field, a mutually beneficial supply chain has been established in which Korean companies manufacture semiconductors using Japanese manufacturing equipment, parts and materials. To realize similar cooperation in the field of autonomous vehicles, it is necessary to secure a stable supply of semiconductors and to strengthen supply chains by linking our two countries with world-leading semiconductor companies. We would like to explore this idea with the Korean government so that two-way investments can take place between Korea and Japan.

Q : On several occasions, you have expressed your openness to talking to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on a variety of issues, including the abduction of Japanese citizens. What do you currently think of the idea of talks with North Korea?

A : In accordance with the Pyongyang Declaration between Japan and North Korea, the Japanese government aims to comprehensively resolve pending issues, such as abductions of our citizens, nuclear weapons and missile testing, and realize the normalization of diplomatic relations. I am determined to face Chairman Kim directly without any conditions.

Q : In Korea, there is a view that the United States agrees with Korean membership in the G7 and the effective creation of a new Group of Eight, but that this is opposed by Japan. The same is believed to be true regarding Japan’s views on Korean participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue [the Quad]. What can you say about this perception?

A : The G7 has never discussed membership expansion. It is not true that the United States is in favor of Korea joining, or that Japan opposes it. In addition, in the case of the Quad, there is currently no discussion about whether to expand the number of participating countries. The group’s efforts remain focused on producing concrete results through practical cooperation between the four countries. We will keep a close eye on what discussions will be held in the future.

BY SPECIAL REPORTING TEAM [kim.hyunki@joongang.co.kr]