Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is currently in South Korea to strengthen ties between the two countries before leaving office. The visit, planned shortly before his term concludes, aims to highlight the positive developments in bilateral relations achieved during his leadership. This trip signifies Kishida’s efforts to leave behind a legacy of improved diplomatic and security cooperation with South Korea and the United States, even though his popularity at home has been impacted by political scandals.
Experts view Kishida’s visit as a way to solidify his contributions to the enhanced ties between Japan and South Korea, pivotal allies of the United States in the region. Both countries host a significant number of American troops and play crucial roles in reinforcing regional alliances amid challenges posed by China’s influence and North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. Despite historical grievances stemming from Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945, recent efforts have been made to thaw the once strained relations.
While Yoon Suk Yeol, the South Korean President, took steps to address compensation issues for Korean forced laborers under Japanese rule, domestic backlash ensued following his establishment of a corporate fund without Japanese contributions. The visit of Prime Minister Kishida is not expected to yield any major announcements, but rather to continue the positive momentum in bilateral ties beyond his tenure.
As Kishida’s term comes to an end, the focus shifts to the upcoming leadership election within his party to choose a new prime minister. Potential candidates like Shinjiro Koizumi and Shigeru Ishiba could influence Japan’s foreign policies, including its relations with South Korea. The possibility of a liberal candidate winning the South Korean presidency in 2027 after Yoon’s term adds another layer of potential change to the future of South Korea-Japan relations.
