Newly appointed Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Wednesday that Tokyo urgently demands Seoul eliminate "violations of international law" regarding wartime Korean labor issues, adding that it is a top priority for Japan in handling the bilateral relationship.
Motegi, formerly the economic and fiscal policy minister, was appointed to his new position during last week's Cabinet reshuffle and replaced Taro Kono, who is now defense minister.
Diplomatic observers had speculated as to whether the appointment of a new foreign minister would signal a policy shift by Tokyo, but Motegi so far has shown no signs of compromise as far as the wartime labor issue is concerned.