Playing the right note, nine years after Kumamoto quake
A harmonica-wielding man in Kumamoto Prefecture is still soothing the hearts of his fellow residents, nine years after a devastating earthquake.
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The Mainichi
an hour ago
- The Mainichi
Editorial: New S. Korean president urged to stabilize politics, cooperate globally
Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's progressive Democratic Party, the main opposition party, has won the country's presidential election, reclaiming power from the conservative ruling People Power Party after three years. His election finally brings a six-month political vacuum period to an end, and there is an urgent need to restore political stability. The election followed the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol by the Constitutional Court after he declared martial law in December last year. Lee, who worked his way up to become a lawyer, entered national politics after serving as mayor of a city in the suburbs of Seoul. He now faces the pressing issue of overcoming intensifying partisan conflict and division. The martial law declaration and Yoon's subsequent impeachment exacerbated the rift between Yoon's supporters and denouncers. During the election campaign, Lee advocated for the "condemnation of insurgent forces," while his opponents focused on personal attacks against Lee, who was embroiled in scandals. In his inaugural speech, Lee pledged to end divisions in politics. With the Democratic Party holding a majority in the National Assembly, Lee has gained significant power. However, he must not use this numerical advantage to suppress dissent. Addressing the rapidly changing international situation is also an urgent task. While the country has made the U.S.-South Korea alliance a pillar of its security, it has been economically dependent on China. However, the Chinese economic slowdown and the high-tariff policies of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump have led to economic stagnation. Meanwhile, the Ukraine war has prompted North Korea and Russia to deepen military cooperation. The former Yoon administration focused its diplomacy on aligning with Japan and the U.S., whereas the preceding Moon Jae-in administration prioritized dialogue with North Korea. Lee's capability will be tested as he advocates for "pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests." In terms of Japan-South Korea relations, Lee criticized the Yoon administration's approach as "humiliating diplomacy," but during the election campaign, he positioned Japan as an "important cooperation partner." In his inaugural address, he also emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea. While historical and territorial issues remain between Japan and South Korea, the two countries share aligned interests in many areas. They must jointly emphasize the importance of free trade and international cooperation to the Trump administration. There is also potential for collaboration in establishing supply chains for strategic goods. Japan-South Korea relations must not be allowed to deteriorate again. Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba should leverage occasions such as international conferences to promptly arrange a summit, expediting the building of a trust-based relationship.
Yomiuri Shimbun
an hour ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japanese PM Ishiba Seeks Early Summit with South Korea's Lee to Boost Bilateral Ties; Meeting Could Come as Early as This Month
The Yomiuri Shimbun Prime Minister Ishiba answers questions from reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday, following the South Korean presidential election. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is seeking an early in-person summit meeting with South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung, aiming to build a trusting relationship, potentially during an international conference to be held this month. Ishiba plans to have a telephone conversation soon and intends to call for continued cooperation in diplomacy and security, including among Japan, South Korea and the United States. While speaking to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday, Ishiba congratulated Lee, who advocates practical diplomacy, on his inauguration speech. 'This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. I want to strengthen Japan-South Korea and Japan-U.S.-South Korea cooperation with President Lee,' said Ishiba, adding that 'a summit meeting should be held as soon as possible.' The two leaders could potentially meet at either the Group of Seven summit in Canada or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in the Netherlands, both of which are scheduled for this month. South Korea is expected to be invited to the Group of Seven summit. June 22 will mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea, and commemorative events are scheduled in both countries. Bearing in mind Lee's repeated past criticism of Japan, the prime minister told reporters, 'While comments have been made previously, he also referred to Japan as an important partner during the election campaign.' 'By having a heart-to-heart talk and actively engaging with each other, I believe the bilateral ties will become stronger. As the government, we will also make efforts.' Many have expressed concern about the left wing, which has historically taken a tough stance on Japan regarding historical issues. However, in his inauguration speech, Lee emphasized practical diplomacy and mentioned 'South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation.' His comment is seen as a response to the administration of the U.S. President Donald Trump and the rapprochement between Russia and North Korea. 'Even if he may not be as eager as the previous administration [to engage with Japan], President Lee must also intend to stabilize Japan-South Korea relations given the current international climate,' a Foreign Ministry senior official said.
NHK
2 hours ago
- NHK
Japan's Imperial family pay respects at Tsushima Maru monument in Okinawa
Japan's Emperor and Empress and their daughter have paid their respects to the victims of a ship that sank in a US attack while evacuating hundreds of children from Okinawa during World War Two. Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko began their trip to the southwestern prefecture on Wednesday to offer their condolences to the war dead. This year marks 80 years since a fierce ground battle in the prefecture toward the end of the war. On Thursday, the Imperial family offered flowers at the monument in Naha City dedicated to victims of the August 1944 attack on the vessel that was making its way to Kyushu. Close to 1,500 people were killed, including at least over 780 school children. The family also visited the Tsushima-Maru Memorial Museum and were guided by the head of the facility. Among the items on display are photographs of more than 400 victims, including children and their teachers, along with belongings such as pencil cases. They spoke with survivors and families of the victims, including Takara Masakatsu, who survived the attack but lost nine family members. The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita -- Emperor Naruhito's parents-- visited the monument and museum in 2014, a year before the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. Later on Thursday, the Imperial family will visit an exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the Ocean Expo, which was held to mark the return of Okinawa to Japanese rule from the United States in 1972. They will also inspect the reconstruction work at Shuri Castle, a prefectural landmark that was destroyed in a fire six years ago. On Wednesday, the Imperial family visited Itoman City, the site of the final battle in Okinawa. They spoke with survivors, bereaved family members and young people working to pass on memories of the war.
