Latest news with #Japan-Korea
Glasgow Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Shin Yamada sets target ahead of imminent Celtic move
The Celtic-bound striker was an unused substitute in his country's 2-0 win over China in the East Asia Cup this weekend. Yamada, who is reportedly expected to finalise a £1.5 million move to Celtic after the mini-tournament, is keen to make his mark in Japan's final match. The 25-year-old said in a recent interview with the Japanese media [ "Of course I wanted to play [vs China], so it's disappointing. "But we've moved on as a team and as individuals. Read more: "After the first and second matches, we're moving in a better direction." Yamada, reflecting on his past performances against Korean players, said: "I have the impression that I have played well against Korean players in the Japan-Korea match (when I was in college), the ACL (AFC Champions League), and the J-League, so I hope I can use that experience to score goals. "I want to show my difference in terms of goals and in the way I fight." The striker emphasised the importance of goals for the national team, stating that accuracy, connection, and various standards such as where to hold and carry the ball are crucial. He added: "I think I have a lot of momentum, and I can't lose. "I also have the back, line breaks, and counterattacks. "We're pushing forward a lot in preparation for the World Cup, but I think there will be times when we're pushed back, so I think I can make a difference by connecting goals to those, so I hope I can do that." Yamada's ambition is clear as he prepares to make his potential last appearance for the Samurai Blue before heading to Glasgow. His determination to score against South Korea highlights his commitment to his current team before embarking on his new journey at Celtic.
The National
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
I'm about to secure Celtic transfer but here's what I want to do first
The striker was an unused substitute as his nation defeated China by two goals to nil in their second East Asia Cup outing this weekend. Yamada will reportedly travel to Glasgow to finalise his £1.5 million Celtic move after the mini round-robin tournament ends. Before he does that, he wants to net for the Samurai Blue versus South Korea in their closing match. The 25-year-old recently spoke to the Japanese media: "Of course I wanted to play [vs China], so it's disappointing," he said [ Read more: "But we've moved on as a team and as individuals. After the first and second matches, we're moving in a better direction. I don't know if I'll play, but if I do, I'll do my best to contribute to the victory and win the championship. "I have the impression that I have played well against Korean players in the Japan-Korea match (when I was in college), the ACL (AFC Champions League), and the J-League, so I hope I can use that experience to score goals. "Both Japan and Korea will come to the match thinking of themselves as rivals. I have the impression that the match will be intense, so I want to win not only in the battles, but also in the finer details of technique and tactics. "I want to show my difference in terms of goals and in the way I fight. I think the competition will be fierce, and I feel that there is little time. "I think I have a lot of momentum, and I can't lose. I also have the back, line breaks, and counterattacks. We're pushing forward a lot in preparation for the World Cup, but I think there will be times when we're pushed back, so I think I can make a difference by connecting goals to those, so I hope I can do that. "[For the national team], goals are a must, and other than that, attacks start with a wedge, so accuracy and connection are required. There are various standards, such as where to hold the ball, where to carry it, and so on."
Japan Forward
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Is South Korea Ready to Move Forward with Japan?
June 22 marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Days before, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and newly inaugurated South Korean President Lee Jae-myung held their first face-to-face meeting in Canada. There, the two leaders agreed to work together toward building a future-oriented Japan-Korea relationship. Japan's cooperation helped to make South Korea's economic growth possible. Meanwhile, South Korea became an advanced democratic nation through its own efforts. However, South Korea has often berated Japan regarding historical issues, and relations between the two neighbors have frequently cooled. Friendly relations between Japan and South Korea are essential for peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, both nations uphold freedom and democracy and are allied with the United States. We urge President Lee to keep that point firmly in mind. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung meet each other in person on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. (©Prime Minister's Office) First, firmly reorienting our two nations towards the future cannot be achieved through words alone. We therefore hope that appropriate actions and policies will be sustained. After all, former President Lee Myung-bak (2008-2013) advocated a future-oriented Japan-Korea relationship when he took office. However, later, when his approval rating dropped, he illegally landed on Takeshima Island (part of Okinoshima Town, Shimane Prefecture). He also committed the rude act of demanding an apology from the reigning Emperor Akihito over historical issues. Then the Park Geun-hye administration concluded an agreement with Japan concerning the comfort women issue. It even declared the issue to be "finally and irreversibly resolved." Nevertheless, the Moon Jae In administration that followed subsequently discarded the agreement. Furthermore, before becoming a presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung himself called Japan an "enemy nation." He has managed to put aside his anti-Japanese stance since the presidential election. But will he really stick to this new position? In addition, while advocating unity among Japan, the United States, and South Korea, Lee Jae-myung also advocates "pragmatic diplomacy" that emphasizes relations with China and North Korea. He would do well to remember the lesson from Aesop's fable about the self-serving bat, namely, "He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends." South Korean, US, and Japanese patrol vessels (top to bottom) sail in formation during their first joint training exercise off the coast of Maizuru, Kyoto, June 2024. (© Japan Coast Guard) Previous South Korean presidents have attempted to balance their relations with the US and China, but they have never achieved success. Moreover, autocratic nations such as China, North Korea, and Russia have been adopting increasingly hardline stances. And Lee Jae-myung himself has said, "Whatever happens in the Taiwan Strait is none of our business." If South Korea decides to take an opportunistic stance in the event of a Taiwan crisis, both Japan-South Korea relations and the US-South Korea alliance will be doomed. Instead, we would definitely like to see Seoul cooperate with Japan and the US and play a role in deterring China. In the event of a Korean Peninsula emergency, cooperation from Japan and the US would be indispensable for South Korea's security. Prime Minister Ishiba should explain this basic truth to President Lee. "Historical issues" that South Korea has raised in the past, such as comfort women and wartime labor, have involved claims that distort historical facts. If such manufactured controversies are brought up again and precipitate conflict with Japan, it will only delight North Korea and China. Claims against Japan have long been resolved. This is evidenced by the Treaty on Basic Relations and the Settlement of Claims between Japan and the Republic of Korea, which were signed 60 years ago. (Read the editorial in Japanese .) Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
Korea Herald
17-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
At 60, Seoul, Tokyo toast to what's next — not what was
Anchored by the slogan 'Joining Hands for a Better Future,' the reception commemorating 60 years of diplomatic normalization between Korea and Japan spotlighted a clear shared commitment to transform the two countries' relationship into a forward-looking, strategic partnership fit for today's turbulent world. Beneath the chandeliers of a ballroom brimming with guests from all walks of life — from diplomats and business leaders to young students — the air buzzed with optimism and the clinking of glasses at a reception hosted by the Japanese Embassy at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Monday evening. South Korea and Japan signed the Treaty on Basic Relations on June 22, 1965, and exchanged instruments of ratification on December 18 of that year, formally normalizing diplomatic ties. The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of that milestone. "The fact that Japan-Korea relations are becoming closer and developing is something no one can deny,' Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Mizushima told participants during the reception on Monday. "Amid today's shifting strategic environment, the importance of Korea-Japan relations continues to grow — and the relationship has now reached an irreversible stage." Back in 1965, annual travel between the two countries stood at just around 10,000. In 2024, it surpassed 12 million, averaging more than triple the 1965 total in a single day. Japan's investment in Korea has also soared, from $500,000 in 1965 to $6.12 billion in 2024, making it Korea's largest investor, Mizushima said. "Sixty years corresponds to a full cycle — a hwangap — in the East Asian cultural sphere where Japan and Korea are both located. In other words, one full cycle has passed since the normalization of Japan-Korea diplomatic ties,' Mizushima said. 'This signifies that Japan-Korea relations now stand at a new starting point. We must not remain complacent with the present, but instead support the next generation who will carry the future of both nations, and begin the next cycle to dramatically advance Japan-Korea relations with full momentum.' The evening vividly illustrated how far the two countries have come since the 1965 treaty, as relations evolved from government-to-government dialogue into a broad web of economic, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The ballroom was filled with music as students at the Seoul Japanese School choir performed, including a Korean rendition of Spring in My Hometown. Arirang, a beloved Korean folk song, was also performed, sung and arranged by Japan's Mikage Project, a group dedicated to composing and reinterpreting traditional Japanese folk music. Korean pianist Lee Kyung-mi, who spent seven years in Japan from the age of nine and made her musical debut there, performed at the event, continuing her long-standing role as a cultural bridge between Korea and Japan through friendship concerts — even during strained diplomatic times. The event also featured a joint performance by Korean trot singer Kim Da-hyun and Japanese artist Azuma Aki. Both appeared on Korea-Japan King of Singers, the first-ever joint Korean-Japanese music competition show, co-produced by Korea's MBN and Japan's Fuji TV to promote friendship through music. "I hope that Korea-Japan relations will continue to develop in a stable and future-oriented manner based on the achievements and progress made thus far,' South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said in his congratulatory video message, adding that 'the two countries are important partners who must seek responses together amid rapidly changing international circumstances.' 'Joining hands for a better future — let us move forward together!' Akihisa Nagashima, special advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, underscored that "close communication and expanding the scope of cooperation between the two countries is not a choice but a necessity in light of today's grave international environment." Ryu Jin, chair of the Federation of Korean Industries and chair of Poongsan Corp., offered a toast on behalf of the Korean side, following a kagami-biraki ceremony — a traditional Japanese ritual that involves breaking open a sake barrel to symbolize harmony and new beginnings. 'The Korean business community is fully committed to supporting President Lee Jae-myung's new pragmatic administration in further developing future-oriented cooperation between our two countries,' Ryu said. 'Today, Korea-Japan relations stand at a new starting point for the next 60 years.' dagyumji@
Asahi Shimbun
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Ishiba, Lee share hopes for early meeting in first phone talks
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters following the election of Lee Jae-myung as South Korean president on June 4. (Takeshi Iwashita) Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung agreed on the need for improved ties between their respective nations as they talked on the telephone on June 9. According to a Japanese government statement, the two leaders shared 'hopes for an early opportunity for a face-to-face meeting.' It was the first time that Lee, who assumed the presidency on June 4, and Ishiba have held talks. During the conversation that lasted for about 25 minutes from noon, Ishiba and Lee agreed on the importance of Japan-South Korea relations and cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea. They also confirmed that Japan-South Korea relations should be developed in a stable manner. Ishiba told Lee that he 'would like to work closely (with Seoul) in dealing with North Korea, including the abduction issue of Japanese nationals by North Korea,' according to the Japanese government. According to an announcement by the Office of the President of South Korea, the two leaders agreed to create a more solid and mature relationship between the two countries based on mutual respect and trust. Lee also stressed that Japan-Korea relations are becoming more important in today's strategic environment, and expressed hope that the two countries will respond to challenges together from the perspective of mutual national interests and seek a direction in which they can coexist in harmony. It was the second time that Lee has held phone talks with a foreign leader, following U.S. President Donald Trump on the evening of June 6. Ishiba and Lee are scheduled to attend the Group of Seven summit in Canada on June 15-17, and may hold their first face-to-face meeting as early as this occasion. (This article was written by Kei Kobayashi, and correspondent Akihiko Kaise.)
