The administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan has decided to refrain from referring to the government's view that the 1910 pact authorizing the annexation of the Korean Peninsula was concluded in a valid manner in accordance with international law in those days, government sources said Saturday.
The two nations signed the treaty exactly 100 years ago on Sunday. It took effect a week later.
Kan's team decided to go with a nonreference policy in light of South Korea's position that the 1910 Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty was voided because it was concluded by force.