They should be close allies. But history divides them
Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitaskAlong with China, Japan and South Korea are East Asia’s economic powerhouses. Unlike their giant neighbour, they are established democracies and staunch allies of America. They are also wary of China’s growing clout in the region, to say nothing of the threat from a bellicose North Korea. But despite their shared contemporary interests, the past divides them.
A window of opportunity to improve relations may now be opening, if only briefly. Mr Moon finished his term in May. His successor, Yoon Suk-yeol, has renewed the call for “future-oriented” ties with Japan. Kishida Fumio, Japan’s prime minister, faces upper-house elections on July 10th, which his Liberal Democratic Party is on course to win. He will then have up to three years before the next national vote.
That depends on first resolving the forced-labour dispute. South Korean courts have approved the seizure of assets belonging to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel, Japanese industrial giants that used forced labour during the second world war. Appeals have delayed the process, but the assets, which include South Korean patents and revenues, may be liquidated and the proceeds given to victims .
Many Japanese politicians reckon the sides are playing tennis, not dancing together. “It’s very clear the ball is in Korea’s court—they have to fix it,” says onelawmaker. Mr Kishida, who as foreign minister in 2015 led negotiations on the ill-fated comfort-women agreement, is himself hesitant. He must also handle his party’s nationalist wing, which can be tin-eared on historical issues. Yet he may still be persuaded to two-step.
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