Amid U.S. mediation and domestic media pressure, concerns persist that Japan may again move toward apologies and concessions under the banner of improving relations with South Korea.
This text examines the risks inherent in Japan’s diplomatic posture and the continuing pressure surrounding the comfort women issue.

Regrettably, it cannot be categorically declared that Japan will never again lend an ear to such devilish whispers
2018-01-29
The following is a continuation of the previous chapter.
Joe Biden, then Vice President under the Obama administration, who had continued to restrain Prime Minister Abe from visiting Yasukuni Shrine, has testified that he himself served as the bridge between Japan and South Korea at Abe’s request; if this is true, it is difficult to regard it as appropriate.
Given these developments, despite strong public resentment toward lawless South Korea, what is truly worrisome going forward is not South Korea but rather the possibility that Japan, under the banner of “Japan–ROK cooperation” and “improvement of relations,” will continue to pile up further concessions such as apologies.
The Asahi Shimbun promptly stated the following in its January 10 editorial.

“Above all, what must be pursued is the careful continuation of support projects for former comfort women and the expansion of cooperation between the Japanese and South Korean governments for that purpose. In that sense, it is not constructive for the Japanese side to adopt a rigid stance such as ‘we have no intention of moving the agreement by even one millimeter’ (Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga). In the Asian Women’s Fund, successive prime ministers sent letters of apology to former comfort women. Without even being told by the South Korean side, it is only natural to consider forward-looking options within that framework in order to uphold the agreement.”

Regrettably, it cannot be stated with absolute certainty that Japan’s current diplomacy will never again lend an ear to such devilish whispers.