Perhaps another sign of worsening bilateral relations between Korea and Japan…<br />Tokyo's foreign affairs ministry's website has revised one of its phrases describing the bilateral relations. And this is raising some eyebrows.<br />Arirang's Kwon Soa has more. <br />An introductory section about the relationship between Korea and Japan on the website of Tokyo's Foreign Affairs Ministry used to say...<br />that Korea, an important neighbor, shares basic thoughts on freedom, democracy and economic issues. <br />But the ministry has taken out a chunk of the explanation, and now it just says that Korea is Japan's "most important neighbor." <br />Japan's Foreign Ministry said the change was made to make it similar to recently used expressions.<br />In fact, two years ago when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talked about Korea-Japan relations, he used wording that was similar to what used to be on the homepage, while what he said during a policy meeting last month was more like the current expression. <br /><br /><br /><br />"Korea is our most important neighboring country. Marking the normalization of diplomatic ties between Japan and Korea, we will continue our dialogue with Korea. We are always open to talks."<br /><br />Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reports that the change seems to show Japan's mistrust toward Korea.<br />Korea's Foreign Ministry told Arirang News that it's inappropriate to comment on the significance of the change.<br />But there is speculation that the removal of the words may have some greater meaning, as Abe has recently hinted he will take out references to Japan's war atrocities in a statement he will make in August marking Japan's surrender at the end of World War Two.<br />Kwon Soa, Arirang News.
