December 18, 2020

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on December 17 met with the outgoing South Korean Ambassador to Japan, Nam Gwan-pyo, who visited the JCP head office in Tokyo to bid farewell.

The ambassador recalled his 18-month tenure and said that even under pandemic-related restrictions, he had many good conversations with Shii. He also expressed his hope for the JCP’s further contributions in improving the relations between South Korea and Japan.

Shii thanked Nam for his work during his tenure, and said that the JCP will work for the development of improved bilateral relations. Explaining the JCP view on the issues of Japan’s wartime “comfort women” and wartime industrial forced labor, Shii stressed that in addressing these issues, what is important is to restore the victims’ honor and dignity.

Shii touched on public movements among former colonial powers to confront the legacies of colonialism such as the slave trade. He said, “Learning from these movements, Japan should also confront and work to settle issues pertaining to its past colonial rule over other Asian nations.”

JCP Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo also took part in the meeting.

Past related article:
> Japan should repair relations with South Korea based on remorse over its colonial rule [January 3, 2019]