Japan-South Korea relations

As Japan prepares to release treated water from the tsunami-crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, it battles harsh criticism from South Korea.

Again and again, Japanese prime ministers have hesitated to go against the powerful conservative faction to offer a direct apology for Japan's colonial period.

A visit by Kishida and Yoon to the Monument in Memory of the Korean Victims of the A-bomb will mark a watershed in the historic reconciliation between the two nations.

Asia’s two leading democracies have no choice but to put their historical differences aside. That’s clear from recent engagement between Kishida and Yoon. 

Tokyo's economic aid to Seoul laid the foundations of a new development model – but it had a dark side as well.

For the first time in 12 years, the Japanese prime minister visited Seoul for a bilateral meeting with the South Korean president. 

From a potential Kishida apology to the limits of security cooperation, three important questions will define the future trajectory of the Japan-South Korea thaw.

On May 7, Japan’s prime minister will reciprocate President Yoon’s trip to Tokyo. Kishida will be the first Japanese leader to visit South Korea since 2018.

The U.S. can incentivize the thaw through enhanced trilateral cooperation in economic security.

With Yoon and Kishida less than ideal midwives to a new relationship, there’s a real need for Washington to help move things along.

Between China and North Korea, the logic for increased Japan-South Korea cooperation is clear. All that was lacking was political will.