Japan Relieved after Moon's Speech

Tokyo, March 1 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government does not view South Korean President Moon Jae-in's speech on Friday as something that will further strain bilateral relations. Japan understands Moon's speech "touched upon the importance of Seoul's ties and cooperation with Tokyo," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kotaro Nogami said at a press conference. In his speech delivered at a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the March 1 independence movement against Japanese colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula, Moon held back on direct criticism of Japan. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono last month relayed concern to Seoul about the possibility of the commemorative ceremony further chilling bilateral ties already strained by history issues. The issues include recent South Korean court rulings that ordered Japanese firms to pay compensation to South Korean plaintiffs over wartime labor. But many within the Japanese government are frustrated with Moon's lack of leadership over relations with Japan, as the South Korean government has been slow to take action in resolving the dispute over the court rulings. Seoul has remained mum about Tokyo's request that the two countries hold talks on the matter based on the 1965 bilateral agreement on war-related claim rights. In his speech, Moon claimed that some 7,500 Koreans were murdered at the time of the independence movement. The Japanese Foreign Ministry conveyed its concern to Seoul, saying that Japan and South Korea recognize facts differently. END