Japan's sincere approach to resolving the issue of colonization of Korea is essential: JCP

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Yoshioka Yoshinori stressed the need for Japan to settle the accounts of Japan's colonization of Korea as agreed upon in the September 2002 Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration.

Yoshioka made this point in connection with the issue of Japan-North Korea normalization talks following Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro's report on his recent visit to North Korea to the House of Councilors Plenary Session on May 26.

The JCP lawmaker said, "The JCP welcomes the outcome of the prime minister's visit in which the Pyongyang Declaration was confirmed as the basis for Japan-Korea relations. Noting that some progress has been made in the issues of abduction, nuclear weapons, and missiles, he questioned the prime minister about how he is going to proceed with talks with North Korea.

Yoshioka said, "Just as North Korea is called upon to tackle in earnest the pending issues, including the abduction of Japanese nationals, so should Japan be sincere in settling all accounts of the Japanese colonization of Korea. We must not condone arguments that justify the colonial rule by Japan."

He quoted a government official as saying to him, "Unless Japan understands how terrible the hardships were for the family members of Koreans who were taken to Japan for forced labor, it will be difficult to bring success to Japan-North Korea talks over the settlement of accounts of the past."

Prime Minister Koizumi stated that he will deal with relations with North Korea in line with the Pyongyang Declaration.

In the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration of September 2002, Prime Minister Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il "confirmed the shared recognition that establishing fruitful political, economic and cultural relations between Japan and the DPRK through the settlement of the unfortunate past between them and the outstanding issues of concern would be consistent with the fundamental interests of both sides, and would greatly contribute to the peace and stability of the region." (end)