Coverage over the recent unveiling of a statue commemorating ‘comfort women’ in Berlin: DW Akademie: “A Korean citizens’ group is aiming to raise awareness of women forced to work in military brothels with a new memorial. But Japan has said…
“Hundreds of works of art created by Japanese prisoners of war and civilian internees detained in Australia and New Zealand during World War II have been studied for the very first time by academics, having been “entirely ignored” by scholars…
Over the summer, there have been several developments on historical issues affecting South Korea-Japan relations. From Japanese UNESCO sites to wartime workers, here are a selection of stories providing an overview of recent changes. Chosunilbo: “Cheong Wa Dae is bristling…
In late August, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced he would be stepping down due to medical reasons. Abe’s resignation has led some to question how his successor would handle sensitive issues such as visits to the Yasukuni Shrine and…
“On the morning of September 2, 1945, Lt. Cmdr. James Starnes stood on the deck of the USS Missouri, surrounded by his fellow seamen, hundreds of Allied warships and the blue waters of Tokyo Bay.”
“South Korean President Park Geun-Hye muted her criticism of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s war anniversary statement, mindful that she needs to improve her country’s relations with Japan.”
“Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stopped short of offering an apology in his own words for Japan’s actions in World War II, issuing a 70th-anniversary statement that mixed remorse with some defiant messages.”
“Struggling a bit with a left arm that has never straightened out, Sumiteru Taniguchi slowly peeled the undershirt off his frail 86-year-old body to show two visitors his scars from the atomic bomb attack on Nagasaki.”
“A draft of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s statement to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II includes all key words used in the 1995 Murayama statement, including “apology” and “aggression,” NHK reported Monday.”
“As ageing survivors, the relatives of victims and others remember the devastating blast that took place on Aug 9, 1945, Japan’s PM calls for an end to nuclear weapons”
A ceremony, attended by PM Shinzo Abe, was held at Hiroshima’s memorial park before thousands of lanterns are released on the city’s Motoyasu river.
“Nearly a third of Americans cite World War II as the event that stands out when they think about relations between the United States and Japan, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center. By contrast, only 17%…
“The friendship between Washington and Tokyo has come a long way in 70 years, but a rising China could throw a wrench in the works.”
“Today, most Americans say they’re pleased with the state of U.S.-Japan relations. In a new survey by the Pew Research Center, more than 8 in 10 Americans said they prefer that the two nations remain close or get closer. Three-quarters…
“Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono on Tuesday and praised him for the “courage and sense of responsibility” he showed as a politician in addressing history when he was in the government in 1993.”
“South Korea and Japan held their first high-level security talks in more than five years on Tuesday, despite simmering tensions over territorial and historical disputes. Resuming the “two plus two” talks, which include the two nations’ foreign and defense officials,…
“Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday praised the former Japanese government official who issued a landmark apology over the wartime sexual slavery of Asian women, hailing his “bravery” in facing history. Li greeted a trade delegation led by Yohei Kono, who…
By Matsui Ken: “…Japan must now look calmly at its relations with neighboring nations that have worsened in recent years and make tenacious efforts to end its negative spiral.”
Asahi survey found: -74% of respondents regard the statements issued on the 50th and 60th anniversaries of the end of World War II as “appropriate.” -Those who replied that the expressions are “appropriate” represented the view of more than 70…
“President Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday that he does not think Taiwan’s plan to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II will undermine the island’s relationship with Japan.”
“Japan and the United States will likely include an explicit reference to defence of far-flung Japanese islands in an update of security cooperation guidelines amid concerns about China’s increasing military assertiveness, a Japanese newspaper reported.”
“The National Assembly adopted a resolution Tuesday, denouncing Japan’s repeated claims to South Korea’s easternmost islets of Dokdo. The resolution passed with 181 votes out of 182 in the plenary session. It was drafted and approved last week by a…
“Despite strained relations over territorial disagreements and historical disputes, South Korea and Japan will resume security talks this week. These talks are not so much a sign the two neighbors are resolving longstanding differences but instead a recognition that they…
“China’s Foreign Ministry urged the United States on Thursday to act and speak cautiously after the U.S. defense chief repeated Washington’s opposition to any “coercive unilateral” actions by China over a group of islets disputed with Japan.”