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“The relationship between Korea and Japan can be easily understood by looking at Samsung and SK. The semiconductor industries of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are supported by Japan’s materials, parts, and equipment industries. “The manufacturing industries of two countries with high quality and international competitiveness are inseparable, no matter who tries to separate them.”
In response to Maeil Business Newspaper’s request to present a new action plan called Korea-Japan Relations 2.0, Isao Yanagimachi, a scholar of the Korean-Korean faction and a professor of comprehensive policy at Keio University in Japan, spoke without hesitation about the importance of the relationship between the two countries, citing Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix as examples.
The explanation is that unlike before 2000, when there was a significant difference in competitiveness between industries, the two countries’ industries now exchange technology equally and are affected by the global economic cycle.
In fact, with Korea-Japan relations picking up momentum in March of last year, industrial cooperation between the two countries is becoming more active. In the case of LG Group, all CEOs of major companies within the group, led by Vice Chairman Kwon Bong-seok, gathered together to discuss ways to cooperate between the two companies at Toyota’s headquarters in Aichi Prefecture, Japan last month.
The recent industrial shuttle diplomacy between Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda and Hyundai Motor Company Chairman Chung Eui-sun has the global automobile industry holding its breath over the ‘destructive innovation’ that their collaboration will bring.
Professor Yanagimachi pointed out that in addition to strengthening the supply chain solidarity between the two countries in the small and medium furniture industry, joint research on cutting-edge fields that require large costs at the research and development (R&D) level is necessary. Typically, areas related to eco-friendliness require a huge amount of funds from technology development to commercialization.
He said, “If the government provides input through foundations or public research organizations and companies from both countries jointly bear research and development costs, the companies’ ability to respond to the ‘net zero’ problem will increase,” and “the results of research and development will be shared between both countries.” “If companies use it freely, there is a high possibility that they will lead the related market,” he said.
Atsushi Lee, senior research fellow at the Japan Economic Research Center, also added his support, saying that cooperation between companies from both countries is essential for the realization of increasingly important economic security supply chains and green and digital transformation.
He especially emphasized the importance of the semiconductor supply chain. Lee Joo-in, senior research fellow, explained, “Semiconductors are a complex situation that is intertwined not only with Korea and Japan, but also with the United States and China.” He added, “If Korea and Japan build a solid supply chain, they will have a strong backing in terms of economic security.” .
He also mentioned the importance of joint efforts to ensure resource and energy security, given that both Korea and Japan are energy importing countries.
If the two countries jointly import energy, costs can be lowered, and it is also possible to cover energy resources lacking in one country from another.
In this regard, Korea’s GS Caltex has recently produced meaningful results, such as successfully exporting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which reduces carbon emissions by up to 80%, to Japan.
Gasoline exports to Japan also recorded $1,446.43 million (about 2 trillion won) from January to August, the highest since statistics were compiled in 1992.
To increase the international competitiveness of the two countries’ industries, senior researcher Lee Joo-in cited easing regulations between the two countries, partnerships with startup companies, and cooperation in third country markets related to the entertainment and content industries.
For example, it is possible to have a ‘one source-multi-use’ content cooperation relationship by making a popular Korean webtoon into an animation in Japan and having a K-pop singer sing the theme song.
He said, “It is well known in Japan that President Yoon Seok-yeol made a heavy and difficult political decision to improve Korea-Japan relations, and there are many voices appraising his courage.” He added, “The importance of Korea-Japan relations is fully recognized by the Japanese public and private sector, so the two governments will work together in the future.” “I hope we can step by step put into practice so that we can feel the benefits of improving relationships,” he added.
Hideki Okuzono, a professor at the Department of International Relations at Shizuoka Prefectural University, also emphasized the importance of establishing the good trend in Korea-Japan relations created by President Yoon Seok-yeol and former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in March as an irreversible trend.
He pointed out, “Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also wants to continue the current good Korea-Japan relationship,” adding, “Efforts are needed to create an irreversible opportunity this time to prevent drastic changes in Korea-Japan relations due to a change in government in the future.” did it
As one of these, he proposed creating a Korean-Japanese version of the ‘Schengen Agreement,’ which created the foundation of the European Union (EU).
The key to this agreement, which began discussions in 1985 in an area called Schengen in southern Luxembourg, is to allow free movement of people and goods between member countries. Through this, a single market called the EU was created and has grown into a core economic axis competing with the United States and China.
He also mentioned the ‘Erasmus Program’ as something that can be started more easily than the Schengen Agreement. This is an exchange student program between countries in the EU that started in 1987. Young students can choose one or two of more than 30 countries to study there and expand their horizons.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yoo Myung-hwan also selected the Korea-Japan version of the Erasmus program as the first starting point for expanding mutual benefits that can be felt by the people of both countries under the ‘Yoon Seok-yeol-Ishiba’ system.
Along with this program, there is an expectation that if the two countries tie together a ‘one-hour living zone’ through the pre-entry screening system, a milestone will be set in the groundbreaking expansion of exchanges in the relationship between the two countries.
Rep. Joo Ho-young (People Power Party, 6th term), who is serving as vice-chairman of the National Assembly and president of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary Alliance, also said about the introduction of the pre-entry screening system, “It is an absolutely necessary policy,” emphasizing that it is a high-priority action plan between the two countries.
He said, “When Koreans go to Japan, they stand in line and wait for immigration. Wouldn’t it be more convenient if they went through immigration in advance in Korea?” He said, “I will try to solve this problem.”
In addition, Representative Joo Ho-young set a bold challenge goal of ‘establishing a trilateral alliance of lawmakers from Korea, the United States, and Japan’ and announced that the National Assembly will work hard to achieve this.
He said, “The Korea-Japan Congressional Union was established in 1972, and the Korea-US Congressional Union was created in 2023.” He added, “Although not as frequently as the Korean-Japan Congressional Union, we will discuss with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other organizations to create a place for lawmakers from the three countries to meet together on a regular basis.” did it
From sensitive issues that cannot be resolved through inter-governmental dialogue to listening to the difficulties and resolving civil complaints of companies making foreign investments across the three countries, ‘soft power’ allows lawmakers from the three countries to build solidarity and foster solidarity between governments with a flexible attitude. The ambition is to create.
He also said, “There are still many cases where unrelated conscripts or conscripts are buried in Japanese shrines or temples,” and “Currently, the Buddhist community is mainly involved in the movement for their return, and the Korea-Japan Congressional Alliance is trying to actively engage in this issue.”
Former Ambassador to Japan Shin Kak-soo echoed the assessment of Japanese scholars of the anti-Korean faction, saying, “As Korea-Japan relations will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025, we must quickly prepare a long-term vision to keep pace with this,” urging the need to prepare a specific economic cooperation plan. did it
As part of this, it is necessary to establish regular high-level economic dialogue, conclude a Korea-Japan FTA, cooperate in standardization, patents, and information, and establish a joint supply chain.
Former Ambassador Shin said, “Regarding economic security, we must promote mutual cooperation to ensure the safety of the supply chain related to rare metals,” and added, “It is also necessary to establish a mutual flexibility and cooperation system in the form of a currency swap.”
In addition, in order to jointly respond to geopolitical risks such as North Korean provocations, high-level strategic dialogue has been strengthened, such as regularizing shuttle summit diplomacy and the establishment of a 2+2 ministerial strategic council. In order to respond to security threats, cooperation in North Korean nuclear information information, establishment of a Northeast Asian nuclear planning group, and mutual cooperation have been implemented. He emphasized the need to improve the system, including concluding a military support agreement.
In relation to this, former Minister Yoo Myung-hwan especially advised that President Yoon and Prime Minister Ishiba should join forces to expand cooperation through international cooperation organizations.
By expanding the common influence between the two countries, a path will be opened for Korea to actively participate in each field in the Quad (a four-party consultative body of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India) and to jointly participate in Ocus (the security alliance of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia).
Former Minister Yoo said, “We persuade Japan of the need for Korea to join the Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and encourage Korea to lead discussions on expanding the G7 (seven major countries) into the G9, including Korea and Australia.” “It can be done,” he said. “Korea’s own efforts are important, but it will be more effective if Japan takes the initiative.”
