In the leadup to the 2002 World Cup soccer finals, Japan and South Korea are moving behind the scenes to prevent the sizzling political imbroglio over a right-leaning Japanese history textbook from spilling over into the cultural field.
The two Asian neighbors have designated 2002 as a year of grassroots exchanges in the hope of kicking off the finals with appropriate fanfare for the expected new era of friendship to be ushered in by their cohosting of the sports extravaganza.
Government sources said Saturday that Japan and South Korea expect to hold high-level cultural talks as early as late this month to prepare for the grassroots exchanges, despite the current political tensions.