Japanese PM expresses sorrow for Korean colonial victims, but does not directly apologize


Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday expressed sympathy for those who suffered under Japan's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula, but did not offer the direct apology many South Koreans had wanted.
Traveling to Seoul to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Kishida said that his "heart ached" for the past suffering of Koreans, adding that he stood by Japan's previous remorseful sentiments. However, he did not comment on the issue any further.
The meeting between the two marked the first visits between the leaders of the Asian nations in 12 years. Tensions between the countries have been fraught, largely due to "Japan's brutal colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula in the early 20th century," The New York Times reported.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Even as the leaders resumed shuttle diplomacy — talks conducted by a mediator — many in South Korea were reportedly upset that Kishida did not offer a fuller apology. However, Yoon said he would instead try to focus on the future.
Yoon added that an apology from Japan was "something that should come naturally from the other side's sincerity," per the Times. "We must abandon the notion that we cannot take a single step ahead for future cooperation until the past history is resolved."
The countries have been at odds with each other over a 2018 Korean court ruling that ordered two Japanese companies to compensate their Korean employees for forced labor that occurred in the 20th century. However, Japan has refused to acknowledge this ruling, and has argued "that all compensation issues were already settled when the two countries normalized ties in 1965," The Associated Press.
Despite the continued tensions between the countries, Japan and South Korea represent key alliances for the United States, and President Biden is expected to meet with both Kishida and Yoon later this month.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Conservative megadonors build a new bank thanks to Trump administration approval
IN THE SPOTLIGHT With a Lord Of The Rings-inspired name, and the backing of some of the biggest GOP financiers around, Erebor Bank is set to make major waves in the crypto world
-
Political cartoons for October 20
Cartoons Monday’s political cartoons include a $40 billion bailout for Argentina, Prince Andrew's titles, chaos at the CDC, and more
-
From Da Vinci to a golden toilet: a history of museum heists
In the Spotlight Following the ‘spectacular’ events at the Louvre, museums are ‘increasingly being targeted by criminal gangs’
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Trump, Putin set summit as Zelenskyy lands in DC
Speed Read Trump and Putin have agreed to meet in Budapest soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine
-
Courts deal setbacks to Trump’s Chicago operations
Speed Read President Donald Trump cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections