Japan faces difficult diplomatic problems with China and South Korea over territorial disputes and historical perspectives of wartime events that took place in the 1930s and '40s. At the April 24 Japan-U.S. summit in Tokyo, U.S. President Barack Obama called on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to improve Japan's relations with China and South Korea while stressing the importance of Japan-U.S. ties.
Despite the diplomatic problems, economic exchanges among Japan, China and South Korea are steadily progressing and their business circles are ready to step up efforts to further improve and strengthen the exchanges.
Against this backdrop, the Third Japan-China-Korea Economic and Trade Forum took place in Tokyo on April 12. This forum was set up at the suggestion of the China Center for International Economy and Exchange (CCIEE). Participating from Japan was the Japan-China Organization for Business, Academic and Government Partnership, in which I have been involved. From South Korea, it was the Korea International Trade Association.