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Diplomatic Bluebook 2025

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Chapter 2

Japan's Foreign Policy by Region

3 Korean Peninsula

(1) North Korea (including the abductions issue)

The Government of Japan has been taking various initiatives based on its basic policy of achieving the normalization of relations with North Korea through comprehensively resolving outstanding issues of concern, such as the abductions, nuclear and missile issues, as well as settlement of the unfortunate past in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration of September 2002. In 2024, North Korea repeatedly conducted launches of ballistic missiles and others with high frequency and in various manners, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM)-class ballistic missiles and launches using ballistic-missile technology for the purpose of satellite launch. This series of actions by North Korea constitutes a grave and imminent threat to Japan's national security and poses a clear and serious challenge to the region and the international community, and are totally unacceptable. Japan will continue to ensure the full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and seek the complete dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs in cooperation with the international community, including the U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK). The abductions issue is a humanitarian and time sensitive-issue with no time to spare, as well as a matter of infringement of the sovereignty of Japan in nature. Japan continues to call on North Korea to implement the May 2014 Japan-North Korea agreement (the agreement in Stockholm)(10) and will continue to make the utmost efforts to realize the return of all abductees at the earliest possible date, while working closely with the international community, including the U.S. and the ROK.

  • (10) In May 2014, Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations were held in Stockholm, Sweden. North Korea promised to conduct a comprehensive and full-scale investigation on all Japanese nationals, including abductees.
A North Korea Nuclear and Missile Issues
(A) Recent Trends in North Korea Nuclear and Missile Issues

North Korea has not carried out the dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner, in accordance with the series of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

In 2024, North Korea launched ballistic missiles 11 times (at least 22 launches). On January 14, it launched a ballistic missile, and it also launched ballistic missiles which it announced as “super-large multiple rocket launchers” on March 18. On April 2, it launched a ballistic missile which it announced as a “new type intermediate-range solid-fueled ballistic missile loaded with hypersonic gliding warhead;” and on April 22, it launched ballistic missiles which it announced as “super-large multiple rocket launchers with simulated nuclear warheads.”

On May 27, North Korea notified that it would launch a satellite between that day and June 4, and it conducted a launch using ballistic missile technology on the same day. On May 27, it announced that “the ‘Malligyong-1-1' military reconnaissance satellite had been launched” and that “the launch failed due to the air blast during the first-stage flight.” Furthermore, on May 30, it launched ballistic missiles which it announced as “super-large multiple rocket launchers.”

North Korea also launched a ballistic missile on June 26, and announced that “it had successfully conducted the separation and guidance-control test of individual mobile warheads.” Ballistic missiles were also launched on September 12 and 18.

On October 31, North Korea launched an ICBM-class ballistic missile from near Pyongyang. It was estimated that the missile flew for approximately 86 minutes with a maximum altitude exceeding 7,000 kilometers, and this was the longest flight time and highest altitude to date. North Korea referred to the launched ballistic missile as the “latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) ‘Hwasongpho-19,'” and it was reported that North Korean President of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jong-un declared on the spot that North Korea would never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces. Furthermore, at least seven ballistic missiles were launched on November 5.

Faced with these series of launches in violation of Security Council resolutions, Japan, as a member of the Security Council from 2023 to 2024, has diligently worked to take a resolute action at the Security Council, including by calling a series of meetings in cooperation with relevant countries including the U.S. and the ROK, but the Security Council has not been able to take unified action due to the reluctance of some countries. On March 28, the draft Security Council resolution on the activities of the Panel of Experts for UNSC 1718 Sanctions Committee was rejected due to the veto of Russia. As a result, the Panel of Experts, which had extended its mandate by unanimous vote every year since its establishment based on UN Security Council resolution 1874 in 2009, and had played an important role in improving the effectiveness of relevant Security Council resolutions, ended its activities at the end of April. In response to the termination of the mandate of the Panel of Experts, like-minded countries including Japan, the U.S., and the ROK released a joint statement on October 16 and established the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT).(11) The MSMT is expected to contribute to the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions by sharing information among participating states on violations and evasions of sanction measures, and by disseminating that information to the international community.

In addition, the Government of Japan has taken measures against North Korea, designating a total of 144 entities and 133 individuals as being subject to asset freezes and other measures.

With regard to North Korea's nuclear activities, on September 13, North Korea publicized that President Kim had inspected the “Nuclear Weapons Institute” and “the production base of weapons-grade nuclear materials” that includes a uranium enrichment facility, and announced that President Kim had set forth “important tasks concerning a long-term plan for increasing the production of weapons-grade nuclear materials.” During the 10th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly held in January, President Kim was reported to have stated that, “if the enemies ignite a war, our Republic will resolutely punish the enemies by mobilizing all its military forces including nuclear weapons.”

Furthermore, North Korea continues to engage in illicit cyber related activities, which is suspected to be the funding source for its nuclear and missile programs. In the past reports on measures against North Korea based on UN Security Council resolutions, the Panel of Experts for the UNSC 1718 Sanctions Committee pointed out that North Korean cyber groups continued to target cryptocurrency-related companies and exchanges, that North Korean IT workers generated income by obtaining work with false identification, and that their earnings were used as a source of funding for North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

(B) Initiatives by Japan and Cooperation with the International Community

The repeated launches of ballistic missiles and others by North Korea are serious challenges not only to Japan, but also to the international community, and are totally unacceptable. It is crucial that the international community makes concerted efforts to fully implement the UN Security Council resolutions for the dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner by North Korea. Japan has confirmed these points at meetings with the heads of state and foreign ministers of various countries. On November 5, a G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on the launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile by the DPRK was released.

In addition, recognizing that the collaboration among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK is essential for regional peace and stability beyond issues related to North Korea, Japan, the U.S., and the ROK have been enhancing stable collaboration at multiple levels, including through holding meetings among leaders, Foreign Ministers, and Vice-Ministers. At the leaders' level, the Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit Meeting was held on November 15 on the occasion of the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru, and a Japan-U.S.-ROK Joint Leaders' Statement was released after the meeting. At the foreign ministerial level, Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meetings were held on February 22 on the occasion of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and on September 23 in New York, U.S.; the Japanese, U.S. and ROK foreign ministers also held a Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers' Telephone Meeting on October 31, in which they strongly condemned the ICBM-class ballistic missile launch. At the vice-ministerial level, Japan-U.S.-ROK vice foreign ministerial meetings were held near Washington, D.C., U.S., on May 31 and in Seoul, ROK, on October 17, and Joint Statements were released after each meeting. Furthermore, Japan, the U.S., and the ROK announced the establishment of the Trilateral Coordinating Secretariat at the Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit Meeting in November, and its first meeting was held on November 20, where the three countries reviewed the advancement of the trilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields , and concurred to work together to advance the trilateral coordination through the Trilateral Coordinating Secretariat to further accelerate the momentum. On December 9, a Japan-U.S.-ROK Trilateral Meeting on North Korea was held face to face in Tokyo, where the participants reaffirmed the importance of the close coordination among Japan, the U.S., and the ROK that remains ensured even in the face of various complicating situations. Furthermore, in the joint statement released at the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting held between Prime Minister Ishiba and President Trump on February 7, 2025, both leaders affirmed the importance of the Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral partnership in responding to North Korea and upholding regional peace and prosperity. A Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting was then held on February 15.

Furthermore, as part of the Self-Defense Forces' surveillance operations and the Japan Coast Guard's patrolling activities, Japan has been conducting information gathering on the activities of vessels suspected to be violating the UN Security Council resolutions. When the Government of Japan finds activities strongly suspected to be violating the UN Security Council resolutions, including ship-to-ship transfers(12) with North Korean vessels, measures have been taken, such as notification to the UN Security Council 1718 Sanctions Committee and other bodies, sharing of information with related countries, and releasing of information to the public. Aircraft of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and France, in addition to U.S. aircraft, have, based on the UN Status of Forces Agreement, used U.S. military facilities and areas in Japan to engage in surveillance operations against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers. Monitoring and surveillance activities were also conducted in the waters surrounding Japan by naval vessels such as vessels of the U.S. Navy and the ROK Navy, the UK Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Spey; the Royal Australian Navy destroyers HMAS Hobart and HMAS Sydney; the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS Tromp; the Royal Canadian Navy frigates HMCS Montréal, HMCS Vancouver, and HMCS Ottawa; the Italian Navy offshore patrol vessel ITS Raimondo Montecuccoli; the German Navy frigate FGS Baden-Württemberg and replenishment ship FGS Frankfurt am Main; the Royal New Zealand Navy sustainment replenishment ship HMNZS Aotearoa; and the French Navy French Navy frigate Prairial. From the perspective of further deepening the multinational cooperation, Japan considers it significant that concerned countries are sharing information and coordinating efforts to ensure that UN Security Council resolutions are implemented fully and effectively.

In addition, to address North Korea's cyber activities and block its cyber-enabled sanctions evasion, Japan-U.S.-ROK Trilateral Diplomacy Working Groups for Foreign Ministry Cooperation on North Korea's Cyber Threats were held on December 7, 2023, March 29, 2024, and September 6, 2024. On March 26, 2024, together with Japan's National Police Agency, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, MOFA issued an “Alert for Private Companies on North Korean Information Technology (IT) Workers.”

  • (12) In this context, “ship-to-ship transfers” refers to the transfers to or from North Korea-flagged vessels of any goods or items at sea, which UN Security Council resolution 2375 (adopted in September 2017) prohibits the UN member states from facilitating or engaging in.
B The Abductions Issue and Japan-North Korea Relations
(A) Basic Position on the Abductions Issue

To date, the Government of Japan has identified 12 separate incidents, involving a total of 17 Japanese abductees, 12 of whom have not yet returned home. North Korea claims that 8 of these 12 abductees have died and that it is unable to confirm that the other 4 ever entered its territory, but as no convincing explanation of this claim has been provided, Japan continues to work toward the resolution of this issue on the assumption that all of the abductees whose whereabouts are unknown are still alive. As well as being a critical issue concerning the sovereignty of Japan and the lives and safety of Japanese citizens, abductions by North Korea constitute a universal issue among the international community as a violation of basic human rights. In addition, the abductions issue is a humanitarian issue with a time constraint, with not just the abductees themselves, but also their families having reached an advanced age. Japan continues to work toward the resolution of this issue with a determination to “never give up.” Based on the basic recognition that the normalization of its relations with North Korea is impossible without resolving the abductions issue, Japan has positioned its resolution as the most important issue. Accordingly, Japan has strongly urged North Korea to provide a full account of all the abduction cases, to hand over the perpetrators to Japan, and to ensure the safety of all abductees and their immediate return to Japan, irrespective of whether the abductees are officially identified. In his January 2025 Policy Speech, Prime Minister Ishiba stated, “The abductions issue involves more than kidnapping incidents; it is a matter of infringement of the sovereignty of Japan in nature. With the aging of the abductees and their families, the abductions issue is a top priority for my administration; it is a humanitarian and time sensitive issue with no time to spare. By returning to the starting point of the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, I am committed to making every effort, with firm determination, to realize the return of all abductees at the earliest possible date, as well as to resolve the outstanding issues of concern between Japan and North Korea.”

(B) Initiatives by Japan

Following the nuclear test by North Korea in January 2016 and the launch of the ballistic missile in the following month, which North Korea purported to be a “satellite,” Japan announced its autonomous measures against North Korea in February 2016. In response, North Korea unilaterally announced that it would completely stop the investigations on all Japanese abductees and dissolve the Special Investigation Committee. Japan lodged a serious protest against North Korea, conveyed its intention of not abandoning the agreement in Stockholm, and strongly demanded that North Korea implement the agreement and return all the abductees home at the earliest possible date.

(C) Japan-North Korea Relations

In January, President Kim Jong Un sent a message of condolence to Prime Minister Kishida following the Noto Peninsula earthquake. In his January 2025 Policy Speech, Prime Minister Ishiba stated, “By returning to the starting point of the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, I am committed to making every effort, with firm determination, to realize the return of all abductees at the earliest possible date, as well as to resolve the outstanding issues of concern between Japan and North Korea.”

(D) Cooperation with the International Community

In order to resolve the abductions issue, it is essential for Japan not only to proactively urge North Korea, but also to gain understanding and support from other countries regarding the importance of resolving the abductions issue. Japan has taken all possible diplomatic opportunities to raise the abductions issue, including at summit meetings, foreign ministers' meetings and international conferences such as the G7 Summit. At the Ninth Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit in May, Prime Minister Kishida asked for the continued support of the leaders of the ROK and China for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and gained their understanding. At the G7 Apulia Summit in June, the G7 leaders confirmed to continue working closely together in dealing with North Korea, including the abductions issue. During the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Leaders' Meeting in September as well, Prime Minister Kishida took the opportunity to reconfirm the necessity of immediate resolution of the abductions issue. Furthermore, at the Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit Meeting in November, Prime Minister Ishiba once again expressed his appreciation for continued support from President Biden of the U.S. and President Yoon Suk Yeol of the ROK on the abductions issue, and the Japan-U.S.-ROK Joint Leaders' Statement released after the summit also called for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.

Regarding the U.S., at the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting in April, Prime Minister Kishida asked for continued understanding and cooperation of the U.S. for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and once again gained full support from President Biden. At the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting in September, the two leaders also held a candid discussion on the latest situation related to North Korea, including the abductions issue. At the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting held in November between Prime Minister Ishiba and President Biden, they concurred on continuing working closely on issues regarding North Korea including the abductions issue. At the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting held between Prime Minister Ishiba and President Trump in February 2025, Prime Minister Ishiba asked for continued understanding and cooperation of the U.S. for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and gained full support from President Trump.

Regarding China, at the Japan-China Summit in November, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation regarding North Korea, including the abductions issue, and at the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit in May, Prime Minister Kishida asked for continued support of the leaders of the ROK and China for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and gained their understanding.

The ROK has also raised the abductions issue with North Korea at multiple opportunities, including the Inter-Korean Summit in April 2018. At the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting in September, President Yoon reiterated his support on the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and at the Japan-ROK Summit Meetings in October and November, President Yoon reiterated the support to Japan regarding the abductions issue.

On June 12, a public meeting of the UN Security Council was held to discuss the human rights situation in North Korea, including the abductions issue, and after the meeting, the European Union (EU) and 57 like-minded countries referred to the abductions issue in the joint stakeout. Furthermore, the resolution on the Situation of human rights in North Korea that was submitted by the EU and co-sponsored by Japan was adopted without a vote at the UN Human Rights Council in April and the UN General Assembly in December. Japan will continue to closely coordinate and cooperate with relevant countries, including the U.S., toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.

C North Korea's External Relations, etc.
(A) U.S.-North Korea Relations

From 2018 to 2019, President Trump and President Kim Jong Un held two summit meetings and met in Panmunjom. In October 2019, U.S.-North Korea working-level talks were convened in Stockholm, Sweden. However, since then, no concrete progress has been made in dialogues between the U.S. and North Korea.

In October 2022, the Biden administration released a new National Security Strategy (NSS), indicating that it would seek sustained diplomacy toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and that it would strengthen extended deterrence in the face of North Korean weapons of mass destruction and missile threats. At the same time, the U.S. has also stated on various occasions that the U.S. has no hostile intentions toward North Korea and that it is prepared to resume dialogue with North Korea without any preconditions.

Meanwhile, in August, at a ceremony of transferring and receiving “New-type Tactical Ballistic Missile System,” it was reported that President Kim had said about U.S.-North Korea relations that “negotiations and confrontation are among our options, but we must be more thoroughly prepared to cope with the latter--this is the review and conclusion we have derived from the 30-odd years of dealing with the United States, and it is the keynote of our consistent policy toward the United States.”

In response to a series of provocative acts by North Korea, including ballistic missile launches, and to illicit arms transfers from North Korea to Russia, in 2024, the U.S. decided to additionally designate individuals and entities as subject of its own sanctions against North Korea in January, March, May, July, September, and December, respectively.

(B) Inter-Korean Relations

President Yoon Suk Yeol has demonstrated his intention to pursue unification through promoting dialogue while maintaining deterrence and pressure on North Korea, by for example announcing the “August 15 Unification Doctrine,” a unification plan based on freedom and human rights in August. Meanwhile, North Korea announced that President Kim stated in December 2023 at the 9th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) that “The North-South relations have been completely fixed into the relations between two states hostile to each other and the relations between two belligerent states, not the consanguineous or homogeneous ones anymore,” and announced the abandonment of the goal of unification. In addition, at the Supreme People's Assembly in January 2024, it was reported that President Kim had stated that “it is necessary to delete such expressions in the constitution as ‘northern half' and ‘independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity,'” and that “the constitution of the Republic should be revised in consideration of such matters and the issue should be discussed at the next session of the Supreme People's Assembly.”

In November 2023, the ROK announced the partial suspension of the “Agreement on the Implementation of the Historic Panmunjom Declaration in the Military Domain” that was signed in 2018, citing North Korea's launch of a “military reconnaissance satellite” and other provocations. In response, North Korea issued a statement saying that it would no longer be bound by the agreement. Furthermore, in response to the arrival of leaflets from the ROK, from May 2024 North Korea intermittently released large balloons carrying rubbish and leaflets toward the ROK. In June, in response to those provocations by North Korea, the ROK suspended the agreement's operation in full. Since late 2023, it was reported that North Korea was preparing to sever overland links with the ROK, and in October, North Korea announced that it had blown up and blocked sections of the inter-Korean railways and roads on its side. That same month, North Korea claimed that drones had infiltrated Pyongyang from the ROK and dispersed leaflets, denouncing the ROK military as the “chief culprit” of this “hostile infringement upon the DPRK sovereignty” and repeatedly warning that it would retaliate forcefully against any future provocation of the same kind.

In response to a series of provocative acts by North Korea, including ballistic missile launches, the ROK decided to additionally designate individuals and entities as subject to its own sanctions in March, April, May, July, and November, respectively.

(C) China-North Korea Relations

2024 marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and North Korea. Both sides designated it as a “Friendship Year,” and it was reported that Zhao Leji, Chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee visited North Korea in April to attend the opening ceremony of the “Friendship Year.”

Trade between China and North Korea, which is estimated to account for more than 90% of North Korea's entire external trade, was significantly reduced compared to pre-COVID-19 levels due to traffic restrictions following the global spread of COVID-19. While the China-North Korea trade volume in 2023 recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels, it then fell below this in 2024.

(D) Russia-North Korea Relations

Following the September 2023 Russia-North Korea Summit Meeting at which the two agreed on strategic and tactical cooperation, President Putin visited North Korea in June 2024 for the first time in approximately 24 years, and held a summit meeting with President Kim, and they signed the “Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” At their joint press statements afterward, President Kim stated that Russia-North Korea relations had entered into an alliance. In December, the instruments of ratification for this Treaty were exchanged in Moscow, and the Treaty entered into force.

During this period, in January 2024, following the confirmation of Russia's use of North Korean missiles against Ukraine, as well as North Korea's export of ballistic missiles and Russia's procurement of these missiles, Japan, together with the U.S. and other like-minded countries, released the “Joint Statement on DPRK-Russia Ballistic Missile Transfers,” condemning them in the strongest possible terms. On June 28 and December 18, at the request of Japan, the U.S., and the ROK, the UN Security Council convened open briefings on Russia-North Korea military cooperation and other issues, and, prior to the June 28 meeting, “the Joint Statement on the Unlawful Arms Transfer by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to Russia” was issued by 48 like-minded countries, including Japan, the U.S., and the ROK, as well as the EU. Furthermore, in a Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers' Telephone Meeting on October 31, the foreign ministers condemned in the strongest terms, the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including continued illegal arms transfers to Russia and the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. Subsequently, on November 5 and December 16, the G7, as well as the ROK, New Zealand and Australia released “Joint Statement from Foreign Ministers Condemning DPRK-Russia Cooperation,” and the G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement released at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on November 26 also expressed serious concerns over the deployment of the North Korean troops to Russia and their use on the battlefield against Ukraine. These moves to advance Russia-North Korea military cooperation are of grave concern not only because they lead to further deterioration of the situation in Ukraine, but also affect the security of the region surrounding Japan.

(E) Other Issues

In 2024 a total of 13 drifting or wrecked wooden vessels presumed to be from North Korea were discovered (22 in 2023) on Japan's coast with the Sea of Japan. The Government of Japan continues its effort to gather and analyze information, with great interest on relevant developments. In September 2020, a vessel that appeared to be an official North Korean vessel in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the west of the Yamatotai bank in the Sea of Japan was confirmed, and when this incident occurred the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed Japan's position to North Korea. Japan will continue to deal appropriately with these issues in close coordination among relevant ministries and agencies.

D Domestic Political Affairs and Economy
(A) Political Affairs

North Korea is strengthening its military capabilities, including nuclear and missile development, based on the “Five-Year Plan for the Development of National Defense Science and the Weapons System” and the “Five-Point Goals for Developing of National Defense Capability” that were reportedly presented at the 8th Congress of the WPK in January 2021. When inspecting military-related facilities in September, President Kim reportedly stated that they could confidently attain the goal of military hardware production within the five-year plan period, and at Military Hardware Exhibition held in November, with regard to the results for 2024, it was reported that he had stated, “[We have] made a decisive stride in attaining the goal of building up the defenses, advanced by the 8th Congress of the Party.” In addition, North Korean media reported at the end of July that flooding caused by record-breaking heavy rains had isolated over 5,000 residents in Sinuiju City and Uiju County, North Pyongan Province. In response to the announcement of the willingness to offer humanitarian assistance from China, Russia and other countries, during his visit to the flood-hit areas in August, President Kim expressed his gratitude for the willingness of the countries and international organizations to provide humanitarian assistance, while also stating that the Party and the Government would rely entirely on “the potentialities of our country” in the ongoing rehabilitation. After the floods occurred, President Kim was reported to have inspected sites of reconstruction of flood-hit areas multiple times, and to have instructed the construction of modern housing and other recovery work in the affected areas. Although approximately 13,000 disaster-affected residents had been temporarily housed in Pyongyang, in December it was reported that new homes and other facilities had been built or repaired and that the disaster-affected residents had returned to their hometowns.

(B) Economy

At the 10th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly in January, President Kim reportedly designated 2024 as the year to “ensure the practical guarantee for the fulfillment” of the ‘Five-Year Plan for National Economic Development' (2021-2025), which primarily focuses on self-reliance. He also pledged to vigorously advance the ‘regional development 20×10 policy,' aiming to construct modern regional industry factories in 20 counties annually and complete the project nationwide within 10 years. In a September speech marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of North Korea, President Kim reportedly stated that despite numerous difficulties, North Korea had maintained the overall growth trend of its economy and was steadily progressing toward the goals set for 2024. He added that construction work under the “regional development 20×10 policy” had passed the line of 90% completion and must be finished by the end of the year.

E Other Issues

Defectors who have fled North Korea have to be kept in hiding to avoid being cracked down on by the authorities in the countries where they are staying or to avoid being forcibly repatriated to North Korea. The Government of Japan is addressing the protection of and support for these North Korean defectors, in line with the purpose of the North Korean Human Rights Violation Act, taking into account a comprehensive range of factors, including humanitarian considerations, the safety of those concerned, and relations with the countries in which these defectors reside. Relevant ministries and agencies in Japan are closely working together to promote measures aimed at helping the settlement of defectors accepted by Japan.

(2) Republic of Korea (ROK)

A Situation in the ROK
(A) Domestic Affairs

The Yoon Suk Yeol administration, which was formed in May 2022, announced four major reforms in pensions, healthcare, education, and labor, and sought to advance a variety of policies. As for healthcare reform, however, there was a fierce conflict with the medical community over plans to increase medical school admissions, which led to medical workers resisting by going on strikes or taking other actions.

In the general election held in April, the ruling People Power Party continued to be a minority party, and the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, secured a majority on its own. In this situation, the opposition party, acting on its own, passed budget proposals, various bills, and impeachment motions against high-ranking government officials, and in response, the President repeatedly exercised his right to request reconsideration (veto).

On the night of December 3, President Yoon declared emergency martial law, citing administrative paralysis caused by the opposition party, for the first time in 44 years. However, before dawn on December 4, the National Assembly passed a “resolution calling for the lifting of emergency martial law,” and President Yoon lifted it. In the National Assembly, a motion was submitted to impeach President Yoon on the grounds that the declaration of emergency martial law violated the Constitution, and on December 14, this motion was passed. As a result, President Yoon's authority was suspended, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo became Acting President, and the Constitutional Court of Korea was set to consider the merits of President Yoon's impeachment.

The opposition party then submitted an impeachment motion against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the grounds including that his attendance at the Cabinet meeting when the declaration of the emergency martial law was decided constituted, among other things, complicity in the acts of rebellion, and this was passed on December 27. As a result, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's authority to perform his duties was also suspended, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok became Acting President.

Meanwhile, on December 9, a joint investigation unit consisting of police and other organizations requested an arrest warrant for President Yoon for failing to respond to repeated requests to appear, and President Yoon was arrested and detained on January 15, 2025, becoming the first sitting President to be arrested and detained. The prosecutors then indicted President Yoon under detention as a suspect for rebellion.

(B) Foreign Policy

President Yoon has promoted active summit diplomacy, including visiting foreign countries with the goal of becoming a “Global Pivotal State (GPS) that contributes to freedom, peace, and prosperity.” Since his inauguration and until the end of August 2024, President Yoon held 197 summit meetings with 113 countries.

As for relations with the U.S., Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul visited the U.S. in February and held his first ROK-U.S. Foreign Minister's Meeting with Secretary of State Blinken since assuming office, and also held another ROK-U.S. Foreign Minister's Meeting in March when Secretary of State Blinken visited the ROK to attend the 3rd Summit for Democracy in Seoul. Furthermore, when President Yoon attended the NATO Summit held in Washington, D.C. in July, he held a ROK-U.S. Summit Meeting with President Biden, reaffirming the U.S.-ROK Washington Declaration announced by the ROK and U.S. leaders during President Yoon's state visit in April 2023, and adopting the Joint Statement on U.S.-ROK Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula, which calls for a strong response to North Korea's nuclear provocations.

In terms of relations with China, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul visited China in May and held his first ROK-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi since assuming office. Approximately two weeks later, President Yoon met with Premier Li Qiang when the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit was held in Seoul with Premier Li's attendance. Since then, Foreign Ministers' Meetings between the ROK and China have been held on the occasion of multilateral conferences, and high-level exchanges have continued, including diplomacy and security dialogues and vice foreign ministerial strategic dialogues.

(C) Economy

In 2024, the GDP growth rate in the ROK increased from 1.4% to 2.0% in comparison to the previous year. Total value of exports increased 8.1% year-on-year to approximately 683.7 billion U.S. dollars, while total value of imports decreased 1.6% year-on-year to approximately 632.1 billion U.S. dollars, resulting in a trade surplus of approximately 51.6 billion U.S. dollars. With this, the ROK overcame the trade deficit that has continued since 2022 and achieved the biggest surplus since 2018 (figures published by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy).

At the time of its inauguration in May 2022, the Yoon administration announced economic policies based on four pillars: “A dynamic economy that puts the private sector at its core,” “An economy that pushes toward economic leaps by addressing structural issues,” “A leading economy that prepares for the future,” and “An inclusive economy that moves forward together.” During the same year, the “New Government's Energy Policy” and the “National Semiconductor Powerhouse Strategy” were released. In December 2024, after the declaration of emergency martial law, anxiety over the political situation increased, and the ROK's Composite Consumer Sentiment Index (CCSI) of that December fell to 88.4, the largest drop since the COVID-19 pandemic (Bank of Korea Consumer Survey). In addition, the real GDP growth rate (preliminary figure) for the fourth quarter (October to December) remained at an increase of just 0.1% from the previous quarter, below the Bank of Korea's forecast (0.5% increase), mainly due to sluggish consumption and construction investment following the declaration of emergency martial law.

In recent years, the ROK has had a rapidly declining birthrate and aging population. In 2024 the declining birthrate issue remained extremely serious, with a total fertility rate of 0.75 children per woman.

B Japan-ROK Relations
(A) Bilateral Relations

The ROK is an important neighboring country with which Japan should cooperate as partners in dealing with various issues of the international community. Following the significant progress in the Japan-ROK relations in 2023 by the leadership of the two leaders, both countries continued close communication including between the two leaders and foreign ministers, and cooperation in various fields was further expanded in 2024.

On May 26, Prime Minister Kishida visited the ROK to attend the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit. At the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting,(13) the two leaders concurred to continue the “shuttle diplomacy” and close bilateral dialogue that had been ongoing since the previous year. They also shared the intention to accelerate progress in cooperation in hydrogen, ammonia, and quantum technologies, and to consider cooperation in the areas of industrial decarbonization and critical minerals. The two leaders also concurred to further strengthen cooperation among Japan, the U.S., and the ROK. At the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting held on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. in July, the two leaders shared the view that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable, and concurred to further deepen coordination between NATO and Indo-Pacific partners.

On September 6, Prime Minister Kishida visited the ROK again. In his twelfth summit meeting in person with President Yoon, the two leaders overviewed the progress in Japan-ROK relations and affirmed that they would continue to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchanges towards the year 2025, which marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-ROK relations. The two leaders welcomed the signing of the Japan-ROK Memorandum through diplomatic channels on cooperation of protecting each other's nationals in third countries, as a symbol of the expanding scope of the bilateral relationship. They also affirmed that they would work with each other for the success of the EXPO 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan and the 2025 APEC Leaders' Meeting in the ROK.

On October 2, immediately after Prime Minister Ishiba assumed office, the Japan-ROK summit telephone call was held, in which the two leaders affirmed to continue close communication between the governments of Japan and the ROK, and concurred on working closely together bilaterally and trilaterally among Japan, the ROK and the U.S. regarding the current situation of serious concern, including issues regarding North Korea such as the nuclear and missile issues. President Yoon reiterated his support to Japan regarding the abductions issue. About a week later, on October 10, Prime Minister Ishiba and President Yoon held their first meeting in person on the occasion of the ASEAN-related Summit Meetings in Vientiane, Laos. At the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting held during the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru in November, the two leaders shared the intention to promote Japan-ROK relations comprehensively in the areas such as politics, security, economy, culture and social security.

After the domestic situation in the ROK became fluid following President Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law in December, Japan and the ROK confirmed that in light of the current strategic environment, the importance of Japan-ROK relations remains unchanged, and that they continue close communication between the two governments, through the two telephone calls between the foreign ministers of Japan and the ROK, as well as the telephone call between Prime Minister Ishiba and Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. On January 13, 2025, Foreign Minister Iwaya visited the ROK and reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation, including on issues regarding North Korea, between Japan and the ROK, and among Japan, the ROK and the U.S., in light of the current strategic environment, through a series of events including a meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul.

Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting (January 13, Seoul, ROK)Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting (January 13, Seoul, ROK)

In addition to these high-level exchanges, there has also been active communication at the working level, including the Japan-ROK Vice-Ministerial Strategic Dialogue, the Japan-ROK Security Dialogue, and the Japan-ROK High-Level Economic Consultations over the past year.

(B) The Issue of Former Civilian Workers from the Korean Peninsula (CWKs)

The Government of Japan is of the view that it is necessary to advance Japan-ROK relations based on the platform on which the friendly and cooperative bilateral relations have been built since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965, and that the issue of CWKs, which was ruled on by the ROK Supreme Court in 2018, needs to be resolved to that end. Based on this recognition, the Foreign Ministry engaged in close communication with their ROK counterpart including at the Ministerial level since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration in May 2022.

On March 6, 2023, the Government of the ROK announced its position on the issue of CWKs, and a ROK foundation will pay court-awarded fees and late charges to the plaintiffs in the 2018 final judgements by the ROK Supreme Court.

In response, on the same day, the Government of Japan made public its view, stating that it values the measures announced by the Government of the ROK as a move toward restoring Japan-ROK relations, which had been severely strained due to the ROK Supreme Court ruling in 2018, to a sound footing.(14)

Meanwhile, in December 2023 and January 2024, the ROK Supreme Court rendered final judgments in multiple similar lawsuits and followed the 2018 judgement in ordering Japanese companies to pay compensation. On these judgements, as well as on a case in February 2024 where a deposit previously paid by a Japanese company to the ROK court was handed over to the plaintiffs, the Government of Japan has lodged protests to the Government of the ROK that these are extremely regrettable and totally unacceptable. In its announcement of the measures on March 6, 2023, the Government of the ROK has stated that a ROK foundation will pay the judgement court-awarded fees and late charges in the event that other currently pending CWK-related lawsuits (at the time of the announcement) end in favor of the plaintiffs.

As of December 2024, payments have been made by the ROK foundation to 21 plaintiffs who are CWKs. The Government of the ROK has stated that it will continue to make efforts to gain the understanding of the plaintiffs, and the Government of Japan will continue to maintain close communication with the ROK side.

The below Ministry of Foreign Affairs website details the issue of CWKs.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na/kr/page4e_000947.html

Issue of Former Civilian Workers from the Korean Peninsula (CWKs)
  • (14) See References on the Issue of Former Civilian Workers from the Korean Peninsula (CWKs)
(C) The Issue of Comfort Women

Japan has sincerely dealt with the issue of comfort women as it has been a major diplomatic issue between Japan and the ROK since the 1990s. The issue concerning property and claims between Japan and the ROK was settled “completely and finally” in 1965 through the Agreement on the Settlement of Problem concerning Property and Claims and on the Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Korea. However, from the perspective of facilitating feasible remedies for the former comfort women, in 1995, the people and the Government of Japan cooperated to establish the Asian Women's Fund in 1995, through which they carried out medical and welfare projects and provided “atonement money” to each former comfort woman in Asian and other countries, including the ROK. Furthermore, successive Prime Ministers have sent letters expressing their “apology and remorse” to former comfort women.

Furthermore, as a result of great diplomatic efforts, the Governments of Japan and the ROK confirmed that the issue of comfort women was “resolved finally and irreversibly” with the agreement reached at the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting in December 2015. Directly after this Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the Japanese and ROK leaders also confirmed that they would take responsibility as leaders to implement this agreement and that they would deal with various issues based on the spirit of this agreement, and that the Government of the ROK committed to the agreement. This agreement was welcomed by the international community, including then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the U.S. Government. In accordance with the agreement, in August 2016, the Government of Japan contributed 1 billion Japanese yen to “the Reconciliation and Healing Foundation” established by the Government of the ROK. As of December 31, 2023, the fund provided financial support to 35 out of 47 former comfort women who were alive at the time of the agreement, and to the bereaved families of 65 out of 199 former comfort women who were deceased at the time. The agreement has been received positively by many former comfort women.

However, in December 2016, a comfort woman statue(15) was installed on the sidewalk facing the Consulate General of Japan in Busan. Later, the Moon Jae-in administration was inaugurated in May 2017. Based on the results of the assessment made by the Taskforce to Review the Agreement on Comfort Women Issue under the direct supervision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK, the position of the Government of the ROK on the issue of comfort women was announced to be as follows: i) it will not ask for a renegotiation with Japan; and ii) the 2015 agreement, which fails to properly reflect the wishes of the victims, does not constitute a true resolution of the issue. In November 2018, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced that it would proceed with its dissolution of “the Reconciliation and Healing Foundation” and has since moved ahead with the dissolution procedures. The moves to dissolve the Foundation are totally unacceptable for Japan in light of the 2015 Japan-ROK Agreement.

Moreover, on January 8, 2021, in the lawsuit filed by former comfort women and others against the Government of Japan, the Seoul Central District Court of the Republic of Korea rendered a judgment which ordered the Government of Japan, inter alia, to pay compensation to the plaintiffs, denying the application of the principle of State immunity under international law. On January 23, 2021, this judgment was confirmed.(16) On April 21 of the same year, in a similar lawsuit filed by former comfort women and others, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed the case, taking into account the principle of State immunity under international law, but on November 23, 2023, at the appeal in this case, the Seoul High Court rendered a judgement denying the application of the principle of State immunity under international law and allowing the plaintiff's lawsuit. Japan has repeatedly expressed its position that this lawsuit must be dismissed because for these comfort women lawsuits it is not acceptable for the Government of Japan to be subject to the jurisdiction of the ROK in accordance with the principle of State immunity in international law. As mentioned above, the issue concerning property and claims between Japan and the ROK, including the issue of comfort women, was “settled completely and finally,” with the Agreement on the Settlement of Problem concerning Property and Claims and on the Economic Co-operation between Japan and the Republic of Korea of 1965. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the issue of comfort women was “resolved finally and irreversibly” with the agreement between Japan and the ROK in 2015. Therefore, these judgments are extremely regrettable and absolutely unacceptable, as it is clearly contrary to international law and agreements between the two countries. Japan has strongly urged the ROK to immediately take appropriate measures to remedy the status of its breaches of international law on its own responsibility as a country.

The Japan-ROK agreement in 2015 is an agreement between two countries, and abiding by promises made between two countries is the foundation of bilateral relations. The ROK has a responsibility to the international community to steadily implement the agreement. As stated above, the Government of Japan has implemented all measures it committed to under the Japan-ROK agreement. The Government of the ROK itself also acknowledges that this agreement is an official agreement between the two governments, and the Government of Japan will continue to strongly urge the ROK to steadily implement the Japan-ROK Agreement. (See page 35 for the comfort women issue in the international community.)

The below Ministry of Foreign Affairs website details Japan's Efforts on the Issue of Comfort Women.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/postwar/page22e_000883.html

Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
  • (15) For the sake of practical convenience, they are referred to as “comfort woman statues.” However, the use of this term is not a reflection of the recognition that these statues correctly embody the reality of those women at that time.
  • (16) See References on the Issue of Comfort Women
(D) Takeshima

Regarding the dispute between Japan and the ROK concerning the territorial sovereignty over Takeshima, Takeshima is indisputably an inherent territory of Japan both in light of historical facts and based on international law. However, the ROK has continued its illegal occupation of Takeshima with no legal basis in international law, including stationing permanent security personnel. Japan has been keeping the world informed about Japan's position on the issue through various media platforms.(17) Japan has also repeatedly lodged strong protests against the ROK over matters such as South Korean citizens including members of the ROK's National Assembly landing on the island, and the ROK's military exercises and marine surveys in and around Takeshima. In 2024, military exercises were conducted on and around Takeshima and members of the ROK National Assembly landed on Takeshima. The Government of Japan considers these activities unacceptable in view of Japan's position and lodged strong protests.(18) Japan will continue to respond resolutely based on Japan's basic position regarding Takeshima.

For a peaceful settlement of the Takeshima dispute, Japan proposed to the ROK that the issue be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1954, 1962 and 2012. However, the ROK rejected the proposal in all instances. Japan is determined to continue to engage in persistent diplomatic efforts to settle the Takeshima dispute in a peaceful manner in accordance with international law.

  • (17) In February 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a pamphlet entitled “Takeshima: 10 points to understand the Takeshima Dispute.” It is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website in 11 languages: Japanese, English, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Chinese and Italian. Furthermore, since October 2013, videos and flyers about Takeshima have been available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website, and they are currently available in the above 11 languages. Furthermore, Japan has taken initiatives such as distributing a smartphone app that aims to increase awareness of the Takeshima issue. Further details are available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here: https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/takeshima/index.html
    Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • (18) In April Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Kim Byung-wook, Min Byeong-deok, and Back Hye-ryun landed on the island, and in May Rebuilding Korea Party representative Cho Kuk landed on the island. ROK armed forces conducted military training related to Takeshima in August and December 2023. The Government of Japan immediately conveyed to the Government of the ROK that such an act was unacceptable and extremely regrettable in light of Japan's position on sovereignty over Takeshima, and strongly protested against the act.
(E) Exchanges and Travel

As for travel between Japan and the ROK, since early 2020, due to the strengthening of border measures related to the spread of COVID-19, the number of travelers between the two countries significantly decreased, and in 2021 approximately 30,000 people made trips between the two countries. However, in October 2022 after the border measures were eased and flights between Japan and the ROK including the Haneda-Gimpo route resumed operations, the number of travelers has gone up to about 1.31 million, with an increase in tourism. In 2023, the number of travelers between Japan and the ROK increased significantly to approximately 9.27 million people as border control measures were lifted, and airline service between Japan and the ROK was restored to pre-COVID-19 levels. In 2024, the number solidly increased, surpassing 10 million people for the first time since 2018 and reaching a record high of 12.04 million people.

In Japan, K-POP and related content is widely accepted mainly among younger generations, and Korean dramas and movies have become widely popular amongst people of all ages. In 2024, the major Japan-ROK grassroots exchange program “Japan-Korea Exchange Festival” (Nikkan Koryu Omatsuri) was held in person in both Tokyo and Seoul, with a total of approximately 105,000 people from both countries participating. The Government of Japan, through “Japan Friendship Ties Programs (JENESYS),” is fostering mutual understanding, primarily between youth from Japan and the ROK, and is promoting friendly and cooperative relationships for the future. In 2023, the Governments of Japan and the ROK decided to fully resume face-to-face exchange programs, which had been conducted online due to the spread of COVID-19, and to double the number of exchanges compared to the previous year. In 2024, both governments have expressed their intention to further expand the number of exchanges to approximately 900, thereby invigorating exchanges among the next generation of youth in both countries.

(G) Other Issues

The Governments of Japan and the ROK concluded the Agreement on the Protection of Classified Military Information (GSOMIA) in November 2016 in order to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the two countries in the field of security and contribute to regional peace and stability. Afterwards, the agreement was automatically extended in 2017 and 2018.However, the Government of the ROK announced on August 22, 2019, its decision to terminate the GSOMIA in connection with Japan's update of licensing policies and procedures on exports and notified the termination on the following day, August 23. Following this and after exchanges between Japan and the ROK, on November 22, 2019, the Government of the ROK announced that it would suspend the effect of the notification of termination of August 23. On March 21, 2023, immediately after President Yoon's visit to Japan, the Government of the ROK officially notified that it would withdraw its notification of August 2019 to terminate the Japan-ROK GSOMIA. In view of the current regional security environment, the Government of Japan considers it important for the Agreement to continue operating in a stable manner.

Sea of Japan is the only internationally established name for the sea area concerned, and the UN and governments of major countries such as the U.S. adopt Sea of Japan as the official name. Objections to this name, however, were first raised by the ROK and North Korea in 1992. Since then, the ROK and North Korea have been objecting to the name at the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN),(19) the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and other international conferences. These assertions however are groundless, and Japan has firmly refuted these assertions each time they arise.(20)

A cultural property(21) which had been stolen, and taken to the ROK and for which the Government of Japan had been urging the Government of the ROK to promptly return, was returned from the ROK government to its rightful owner, a Japanese temple on January 24, 2025. Upon receipt from the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, Kannon-ji Temple has temporarily lent it to the ROK-side temple in light of the ROK-side temple's request to borrow the property for a 100-day memorial service. Once the 100-day memorial service concludes, the property will be promptly transferred to Tsushima.

Japan has provided support and taken measures as much as possible from a humanitarian perspective in various fields, including responses for ethnic Koreans in Sakhalin,(22) addressing the issue of atomic bomb survivors living in the ROK,(23) and helping Hansen's disease patients admitted to sanitariums in the ROK.(24)

  • (19) A UN conference where experts on place names and geospatial information from each country discuss, from a technical point of view, the definitions of terms related to place names and the notation methods for place names. In 2017, the UN Conferences on the Standardization of Geographical Name, which had been held every five years, and the UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names, which had been held every two years, were integrated into the United Nations Group of Experts on Place Names (UNGEGN).
  • (20) Ministry of Foreign Affairs website with information on the issue of the name “Sea of Japan”:
    https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/maritime/japan/index.html
    Ministry of Foreign Affairs website with information on the issue of the name “Sea of Japan”
  • (21) After being stolen in Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture in 2012 and shipped to the ROK, the “Kanzeon Bosatsu Statue” was collected and stored by the Government of the ROK. A Korean temple asserting ownership of the statue has filed a claim seeking to have the Government of the ROK hand over the statue, and in January 2017 the Daejeon District Court issued a verdict of the first hearing to the plaintiff's side (the Korean temple), but in February 2023 the Daejeon High Court reversed the initial ruling and dismissed the plaintiff's claim. The plaintiffs have made an appeal, but in October 2023 the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal.
  • (22) For various reasons, before the end of World War II, people from the Korean Peninsula traveled to what was then known as Minami Karafuto (South Sakjalin) and were compelled to remain there for a long time after the war ended under the de facto rule of the Soviet Union, without being given the opportunity to return to the ROK. The Government of Japan is providing such people with support, such as to enable them to return home temporarily and to visit Sakhalin.
  • (23) This is the issue of provision of support to those who were exposed to the atomic bombs while living in Hiroshima or Nagasaki during World War II and subsequently went to live overseas. To date, Japan has provided support in the form of the Atomic Bomb Victim Health Handbook and allowances based on the Atomic Bombs Survivors' Assistance Act.
  • (24) In February 2006, the “Act on Payment of Compensation to Inmates of Hansen's Disease Sanatorium” was amended, and former residents of Hansen's disease sanatoriums outside of Japan, which were established by Japan before the end of World War II, were made eligible for compensation, similar to former residents of domestic sanatoriums. Additionally, in November 2019, the “Act on Payment of Compensation to Families of Former Patients of Hansen's Disease” was enacted, and the families of former Hansen's disease patients were also made eligible for compensation.
C Economy

The total value of trade between the two countries amounted to approximately 11.7863 trillion Japanese yen in 2024. Japan is the ROK's fourth largest trading partner, and the ROK is Japan's third largest trading partner. The ROK's trade deficit with Japan increased by approximately 2.2% from a year earlier, reaching approximately 2.2693 trillion Japanese yen (Trade Statistics of Japan, Ministry of Finance). Japanese direct investment in the ROK significantly increased, totaling approximately 6.12 billion U.S. dollars (up 375.6% from the previous year) (figures published by the ROK Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy).

Japan and the ROK also cooperate as parties to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, and work together in various economic frameworks, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). In December, the 16th Japan-ROK High-Level Economic Consultations(25) were held to discuss a wide range of topics, including bilateral economic relations and the international economic situation, furthering discussions on expanding Japan-ROK economic cooperation.

As for import restrictions on Japanese food products by the Government of the ROK, Japan is taking various opportunities to urge the ROK to remove the restrictions as soon as possible.

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