S. Korean president Lee to visit Japan Aug. 23-24 to meet PM Ishiba
Lee is set to visit Japan with his wife in his first trip to the neighboring nation since his inauguration in June, according to the government. He is scheduled to begin a three-day visit to the United States on Aug. 24, the South Korean presidential office said.
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The Mainichi
28 minutes ago
- The Mainichi
Victims of Philippine battles remembered on 80th anniv. of end of WWII
CALIRAYA, Philippines (Kyodo) -- The Japanese Embassy in the Philippines held a ceremony Friday to remember all those who suffered and died in the fierce battles that took place in the Southeast Asian country under the Japanese occupation during World War II, which ended 80 years ago. Around 250 participants, mostly Japanese nationals but also several Philippine government officials, observed a moment of silence, and offered flowers and prayers during the ceremony held at the Japanese Memorial Garden in Caliraya, Laguna province south of Manila. The Japanese occupation started in 1942 and by the time Japan surrendered to the U.S.-led Allied Powers on Aug. 15, 1945, the battles in the Philippines had resulted in the deaths of 1 million Filipinos and more than 500,000 Japanese. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba sent messages to the ceremony, expressing their condolences and calling for peace. Foreign Assistant Secretary Evangeline Ducrocq became the first ranking Philippine government official to attend the annual event in several years and read Marcos' message. "I recall the spirit of reconciliation from which was born, in one generation, the deep friendship and affection between two peoples once torn apart by war," the president wrote. Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo underscored the broadened scope of strengthened Philippine-Japan ties since the war ended, adding "We report this progress to the spirits of those who perished, honoring the remarkable journey we have taken together, overcoming a harsh history to achieve this friendship and cooperation." Referring to the ongoing wars of today, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, Endo said, "We must deeply engrave in our hearts the devastation of war and the preciousness of peace, ensuring that the memories of these tragedies are never allowed to fade and that this legacy is passed on." Ishiba's message, which was read by Endo, saw the Japanese prime minister pledge that his government will ensure the return of the remains of the Japanese war dead to their homeland. He also said people of Japanese descent living in the Philippines, mostly the offspring of Japanese fathers who moved to the country before and during the war, would be allowed to obtain Japanese citizenship.
Kyodo News
2 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: Aug. 16, 2025
TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Subcontractors protest unpaid work on 8 overseas Osaka expo pavilions OSAKA - Subcontractors involved in the construction of eight overseas pavilions at the World Exposition in Osaka are claiming they have not been paid for their work, with organizers and the prefectural government offering little help in what they have deemed is a private matter. Some subcontractors are preparing to sue GL Events Japan, the prime contractor for four of the overseas pavilions involved in nonpayment disputes. Around 20 subcontractors gathered in protest in front of the French company's Japan branch in Osaka city on July 10, demanding to be paid. ---------- Japan prime minister vows to pursue peace, be mindful of "remorse" on WWII anniversary TOKYO - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday vowed to keep in mind Japan's "remorse" over World War II as the nation continues its pursuit of peace 80 years since its surrender, becoming the first premier in over a decade to use the term at the annual memorial ceremony for the war dead. Ishiba's speech is seen as a reflection of his resolve to ensure lessons are learned from the war and to pass on what he calls the "sorrowful" memories to future generations as survivors continue to age. ---------- 2 Japan ministers visit war-linked Yasukuni shrine, 1st under PM Ishiba TOKYO - Farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato visited the war-linked Yasukuni shrine on Friday as Japan marked the 80th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, the first Cabinet members confirmed to have done so since Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba took office in October. Ishiba sent a ritual offering to the Tokyo shrine without visiting it during the day, according to a source. The Shinto shrine, which honors convicted war criminals along with Japan's war dead, is viewed by Asian neighbors as a symbol of the country's past militarism, drawing immediate backlash from China and South Korea. ---------- South Korea's Lee lauds partnership but urges Japan to face history SEOUL - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday vowed to seek forward-looking, mutually beneficial cooperation with Japan while calling on the neighboring country to "squarely face up to" the "long and fraught" history the two countries share. Speaking at a ceremony in Seoul to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of Japan's colonial rule, Lee said Japan is "an indispensable partner," though "unresolved" historical issues still leave some South Koreans suffering, without detailing such issues as forced labor during the colonial period. ---------- Japan economy grows 1.0% in April-June, inflation weighs on spending TOKYO - Japan's economy grew an annualized real 1.0 percent in the April-June period, marking the fifth consecutive quarterly expansion, helped by solid capital investment, though rising prices continued to weigh on consumer spending, government data showed Friday. Exports increased as the impact of higher U.S. tariffs on automobiles from April was limited in the reporting period, but economists warned that broader effects could emerge on the export-reliant economy in the current quarter and beyond. ---------- China slams Japan lawmakers' Yasukuni visits as "erroneous" BEIJING - China on Friday slammed visits by Japanese lawmakers to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine and a ritual offering sent to it by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, saying it reflects Tokyo's "erroneous" stance toward its history of aggression." The Chinese Embassy in Tokyo also said in a statement the reverence shown by the Japanese politicians indicates "the lingering ghost of Japanese militarism" and "further exacerbates the strong concerns and doubts of its Asian neighbors and the international community about Japan's direction." ---------- Taiwan leader Lai urges resistance to aggression on WWII anniversary TAIPEI - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Friday called for unity to resist aggression and uphold freedom and democracy, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on the Pacific front. In a Facebook post, Lai said, "Only through constant vigilance and unity against aggression can we protect our everyday lives." His comments were made as the self-ruled democratic island faces increased military pressure from mainland China, which claims the territory. ---------- Japan ruling party lawmaker's secretary indicted over funds scandal TOKYO - A former secretary to veteran ruling party lawmaker Koichi Hagiuda was indicted Friday for failing to report about 20 million yen ($136,000) in political funds, in a development that could prompt calls for his ex-boss to take responsibility. With prosecutors issuing a summary indictment against Toshifumi Ushikubo, 46, a court fined him 300,000 yen. It was the first criminal case in the slush funds scandal following a prosecution review panel decision. ---------- Video: Fireworks launched in memory of victims of March 2011 disaster
Asahi Shimbun
3 hours ago
- Asahi Shimbun
South Korea, China criticize Japanese officials' visit to Tokyo war shrine
SEOUL/ BEIJING--The South Korean government expressed "deep disappointment and regret" over Japanese officials visiting a Tokyo war shrine on Friday and said future relations must be built on Japan showing remorse for past wrongs, its foreign ministry said. Japan marked the 80th anniversary of its World War II defeat on Friday, with at least one Cabinet minister joining thousands of visitors at Yasukuni Shrine, which South Korea said in a statement "glorifies Japan's war of aggression and enshrines war criminals." The South Korean government urged the leaders of Japan to face history and demonstrate "humble reflection and sincere remorse" for Japan's past history, the ministry statement said. "This is an important foundation for the development of future-oriented relations between the two countries based on mutual trust," it said. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is due to visit Japan on Aug. 23-24 and hold a summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Lee has in the past been critical of efforts by administrations in Seoul to improve ties with Japan, which occupied the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. He has since vowed to continue efforts to strengthen cooperation with Japan and the United States. CHINA SUMMONS JAPAN ENVOY China's foreign ministry on Friday summoned the chief minister of Japan's embassy in China, Yokochi Akira, to lodge solemn representations over Japanese politicians visiting Yasukuni Shrine, according to a ministry statement.
