Ishiba "Korea-Japan Cooperation, Very Important for Bilateral Interest"

[Anchor]
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized mutual interests in his first speech to the National Assembly and expressed his intention to further strengthen Korea-Japan relations.

It seems that former Prime Minister Kishida has expressed his willingness to continue efforts to improve relations between Korea and Japan.

Correspondent Kim Se-ho's report from Tokyo.

[Reporter]
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba made his first speech to express his conviction in the National Assembly since taking office.

Referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, he said that close cooperation between South Korea and Japan is important for each other's benefit in the current situation.

He explained that although there are difficulties, he will create broad and solid relations between Korea and Japan ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan next year.

[Shigeru Ishiba / Japanese Prime Minister: With the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, we will continue to strengthen and broaden cooperation between Korea and Japan based on the trust that former Prime Minister Kishida has built with President Yoon Suk Yeol]

On the occasion of the ASEAN-Korea Summit to be held in Laos next week, he is expected to hold a Korea-Japan summit with President Yoon and discuss detailed cooperation measures.

Prime Minister Ishiba, who is considered a moderate, is unlikely to have a major conflict with Korea during his tenure.

However, there is a strong will to increase defense capabilities, and the Japanese government's awareness of Dokdo's territorial rights and forced mobilization does not deviate from its existing position.

Prime Minister Ishiba, who has insisted on a constitutional amendment that would specify the Self-Defense Forces in the constitution, has also repeatedly expressed his will to revise the constitution.

[Shigeru Ishiba / Japanese Prime Minister: We look forward to having constructive discussions beyond the framework of the ruling and opposition parties at the National Assembly Constitutional Review Board and actively deepening public discussions]

Prime Minister Ishiba's position is open to instability and conflict in neighboring countries, including South Korea.

It also said it would consider establishing a liaison office between Tokyo and Pyongyang to resolve the abduction of Japanese citizens, but the families of the abductees reportedly oppose it.

Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his intention to continue the Kishida administration's trend of improving relations between Korea and Japan.

However, it remains to be seen how to balance the interests of the two countries.

I'm Kim Se-ho from YTN in Tokyo.