Commentary / Japan Jan 24, 2019
How populism drives Seoul's ties with Tokyo
by Joseph Yi and Wondong Lee
South Korean state-sponsored education and censorship help fuel biased views of Japan.
Commentary / Japan Dec 7, 2018
South Korea's waning interest in Japan ties
by Kan Kimura
South Korean President Moon Jae-in's behavior gives no indication that he attaches importance to bilateral ties with Japan.
National / Politics Sep 26, 2017
Japan expresses concern over South Korea's 'comfort women' monument plan
The government on Tuesday expressed concern over South Korea's plan to install a monument on the grounds of a national cemetery for "comfort women," who were forced to work in Japanese wartime military brothels before and during World War II. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga ...
Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Mar 25, 2017
Tillerson tells 'frenemies' Japan and South Korea to heal 'comfort women' rift
by Jeff Kingston
With Seoul in political paralysis and amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Japan's ambassador to South Korea remains in Tokyo — all because of some statues.
Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Feb 4, 2017
Do the memories of 'comfort women' matter?
by Jeff Kingston
It is clear that as mutual recriminations mount, the irreversible and final resolution of the "comfort women" problem pledged at the end of 2015 remains elusive.
Commentary / Japan Apr 17, 2016
Rebooting the stalled 'comfort women' deal
by Hana Rudolph
Salvaging the "comfort women" agreement between Japan and South Korea may require a dramatic and seemingly outlandish decision — moving the Japanese Embassy to a different part of Seoul.
National / Politics Jan 18, 2016
Japan's foreign minister challenges use of 'sex slaves' term for 'comfort women'
by Reiji Yoshida
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida argues that "comfort women" should not be described as "sex slaves," challenging widespread use of the term by Western and other media outlets.
Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Jan 9, 2016
'Comfort women' problem requires a grand gesture
by Jeff Kingston
Due to his unassailable nationalist credentials, Prime Minister Abe is uniquely positioned to make a powerfully symbolic gesture of contrition.
National / Politics Jan 5, 2016
Suga rules out Taiwan talks, says Japan's 'comfort women' deal applies only to South Korea
by Mizuho Aoki
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga indicates the government does not intend to launch new negotiations on the "comfort women" issue with other countries after sealing a deal with South Korea.
National / Politics Jan 2, 2016
'15 saw Abe keep nationalism in check, reset Seoul, Beijing ties
by Reiji Yoshida
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s diplomatic gains last year may give him momentum for the crucial Upper House election and his life-long ambition of revising the Constitution.
National / Politics Dec 31, 2015
'Comfort women' funds won't be paid until sex slave statue outside Japanese Embassy removed: source
The money Japan promised in the "comfort women" agreement Monday won't be paid unless a symbolic comfort women statue in Seoul is removed.
National / Politics Dec 31, 2015
Lack of consultation with victims means 'comfort women' deal should not be final: support group
The Japan-South Korea agreement to settle the issue of "comfort women" should not be considered a final resolution as it was concluded without consulting the victims, a support group for the women said in a statement. "The bilateral talks were held in the absence of ...