Repeated provocations by South Korea, particularly the fire-control radar lock-on incident targeting a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft, exposed the limits of Japanese patience.
Based on an essay by Kadota Ryusho published in Sound Argument, this article examines why Japan must adopt a firm diplomatic stance toward South Korea and discusses the influence of pro-Korean and anti-Japanese actors within Japan.

2019-02-05

Even in South Korea, where many believe that “anything can be done to Japan,” there must be people who have begun to realize the scale of Japanese anger.

The following is from an essay by Kadota Ryusho titled “Impose Sanctions on Korea,” published in the recently released monthly magazine Sound Argument.

◎A Chance Has Arrived for Japan–Korea Relations

Finally, repeated provocations by South Korea have caused the patience of the Japanese people to snap.
Even in South Korea, where many believe that “anything can be done to Japan,” there must be people who have begun to realize the magnitude of Japanese anger.

In that sense, the fire-control radar illumination by a South Korean naval destroyer against a Japan Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft, and the shifting excuses and counterattacks that followed, which have astonished people around the world, are actually welcome developments for the future of Japan–Korea relations.

It is obvious that friendly relations between nations cannot be maintained without a certain degree of restraint and respect.
If one refuses to listen to the other side, fails to keep promises, or treats the other with contempt, even personal relationships cannot survive.

Yet South Korea has not shown such restraint or respect toward Japan.
Nevertheless, Japan continued relations for a long time with its characteristic patience, but this series of incidents has made the entire Japanese people recognize that the limit has been reached.

What would happen if South Korea behaved toward the United States or China the way it has behaved toward Japan?
South Korea would immediately receive severe retaliation and fall into a disastrous situation.
That is why they never behave in such a way toward those countries.
They only behave that way toward Japan, which they believe they can treat however they wish.

If one considers this, it becomes immediately clear what is necessary for the future of Japan–Korea relations.
South Korea must be made to show the same restraint and respect toward Japan that it shows toward the United States and China.

In other words, Japan only needs to demonstrate the same firm attitude toward Korea that the United States and China display.

All that remains is to consider the means and remove the obstacles that prevent such action.
At last, that momentum has begun to emerge in Japan.
This means that the possibility of establishing genuine Japan–Korea relations has finally appeared.
This is truly something to be welcomed.

However, in reality there are many in Japan who wish to portray Japan as the villain under any circumstances—so-called anti-Japanese Japanese, as well as pro-Korean politicians and pro-Korean media.

Whenever something occurs between Japan and Korea, they say “Let us remain calm,” “Do not escalate the situation,” and “Japan is at fault,” always guiding public opinion so that Japan will make concessions.

As a result, South Korea has grown endlessly arrogant and has ultimately lost all restraint and respect toward Japan.

Even now, anti-Japanese forces within Japan are working behind the scenes.
But many Japanese people have finally realized that their very existence is the root cause of the current situation.

In that sense, without question, a chance has arrived for Japan.

(To be continued.)