Improving Ties in the Asian Region

A former Japanese premier will bring a letter from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when he meets South Korean President Park Geun-hye during a visit to Seoul from Friday, a government spokesman, as Tokyo seeks a thaw in frosty ties.

Yoshiro Mori, who acted as Abe’s envoy when the Japanese leader sought a breakthrough in relations with Russia last year, is expected to meet Park on the sidelines while attending the opening of the 17th Asian Games in South Korea.

On Tuesday, Park called for a “courageous decision” by Tokyo to improve ties between the Asian neighbours. Relations have chilled over the past two years largely over the issue of Korean “comfort women” – those forced to work in Japanese military brothels during World War Two.

Denisha Sahadevan