Press Releases
Communication to the Government of the Republic of Korea on Japan's position regarding a lawsuit in the Republic of Korea filed by former comfort women and others.
January 8, 2021
- On January 8, Mr. AKIBA Takeo, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, immediately summoned H.E. Mr. NAM Gwan-pyo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Japan, and lodged a strong protest, stating that it was extremely regrettable that, in a lawsuit filed by former comfort women and others against the Government of Japan at the Seoul Central District Court of the Republic of Korea, the Seoul Central District Court had rendered a judgement in favor of the plaintiffs, denying the principle of State immunity under international law, and that this judgement was absolutely unacceptable to the Government of Japan.
- The issue concerning property and claims between Japan and the Republic of Korea, 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 Republic of Korea in 2015.
- The Government of Japan strongly urges the Government of the Republic of Korea to take appropriate measures to remedy its breaches of international law.