Foreign Minister Taro Kono on Friday urged South Korea to prevent Japanese firms from being treated unfairly following the launch of procedures to seize assets from Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp. over its refusal to compensate for wartime forced labor.
After speaking by phone with South Korean counterpart Kang Kyung Wha, Taro Kono said Japan will take resolute action based on international law, if needed.
"I asked (the South Korean side) to take steps quickly so Japanese firms will not suffer from treatment that is unfair and disadvantageous," Kono told reporters.