Former Japanese official: Korea is Japan`s close neighbor

Following its launch in October, Waseda University`s Korean studies institute held Monday a symposium on the changes in East Asia and the future of Korea-Japan relations.

Former Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono who admitted in 1993 the forced mobilization of comfort women for Japanese soldiers and sent apology made a congratulatory remark that appeared to be targeting reckless remarks of some Japanese politicians, "There are many voices in Japan but I don`t believe they speak for Japanese people." He added, "There are discussions that Korea-Japan relations should be recovered for the sake of economic and safety issues. Yet Korea is very close to Japan and we should get along well with our neighbor."

Kim Hak-joon, president of Northeast Asia History Foundation, urged Japanese politicians make cautious remarks as he told a congratulatory remark, "It is a retrogression to touch the wound and pour salt on it, which will in turn cause misery and heighten conflict."