The Japanese people's sense of Japan-South Korea friendship has heightened following the World Cup soccer tournament cohosted last month by the two countries. After South Korea advanced to the semifinals, many Japanese cheered the team on to an extent that puzzled some South Koreans.

At a recent news conference held in Tokyo by Tottori Gov. Yoshihiro Katayama, who is pro-South Korean, a South Korean correspondent noted the sudden change in the mood and wondered aloud what will happen now to bilateral relations.

In 1998, Japan and South Korea appeared to move to a new phase in bilateral relations when visiting South Korean President Kim Dae Jung and then-Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi issued a joint declaration on a new partnership for the 21st century. Afterward, Kim opened his country to Japanese pop culture, including movies and songs.