Japan-South Korea tensions

Japan’s upcoming naval fleet review will be a litmus test for South Korea’s Yoon administration to improve bilateral ties.

Why are Japan and South Korea, both U.S. allies and East Asian democracies, continuously at odds over everything from their territorial dispute to wartime labor compensation?

Yoon emphasized his support for “freedom” in a U.N. General Assembly address, but most attention focused on the dimming chances of a summit with Japan’s Kishida Fumio. 

A meeting between the leaders of Japan and South Korea has shown the issues that divide them, including North Korea.

President Moon’s potential visit to Tokyo is the object of a diplomatic tug-of-war. Both sides should treat it as an opportunity, not a bargaining chip.

The Seoul Central District Court ruling might help lower temperatures, but a political solution is needed to improve South Korea’s relations with Japan.

While relations have soured, pop culture exchanges are going strong – in both directions.

Recent developments coming out of Seoul have presented opportunities for Tokyo to explore means of cooperation.

The United States may have to play a leading role if it wants to see relations between Seoul and Tokyo improve.

The latest example of outrage culture in Japan and South Korea speaks to the underlying problems in the relationship.

The U.S. should encourage trilateral cooperation with South Korea and Japan to fight the pandemic, with an eye toward saving the Tokyo Games.