Japan’s political landscape is undergoing a conservative shift under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, posing new challenges for its relationship with South Korea. This shift has raised concerns that longstanding historical and territorial disputes could hinder recent efforts at diplomatic collaboration. Historically, the two nations have adopted a “two-track” strategy, which aims to compartmentalize sensitive historical disagreements from areas where cooperation is essential, such as security and economic matters. However, a recent report from South Korea’s Institute for National Security Strategy cautions that Japan’s political instability and its rightward tilt could jeopardize progress in bilateral diplomacy.
Recent events have reignited tensions between Japan and South Korea. Visits by Japanese politicians to the contentious Yasukuni Shrine and Japan’s reiterated territorial claim over Dokdo—an island under South Korean control but referred to as Takeshima by Japan—have stirred disagreements. Prime Minister Takaichi refrained from visiting the shrine on August 15, the anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender, opting instead to send a ritual offering. Despite this, several senior Japanese officials did visit the shrine, leading to formal protests from the South Korean government.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has responded with a balanced stance, recognizing historical grievances while underscoring the growing importance of cooperation with Japan. This approach reflects an attempt to maintain diplomatic engagement despite the underlying tensions. However, experts warn that if the countries fail to make concrete progress on these contentious issues, the effectiveness of the “two-track” strategy could be compromised.
Continued disputes over historical narratives, territorial claims, and controversies rooted in wartime events pose risks to the stability of Japan-South Korea relations. The challenge lies in both nations’ ability to advance practical cooperation while navigating and resolving these sensitive issues. Without tangible improvements, the current strategy might falter, underscoring the need for deliberate diplomatic efforts to sustain and strengthen their bilateral relationship amid shifting political dynamics.