Japan says ready to work with new South Korean government

Japan will communicate with the new South Korean government when it visits the country this month, a top government spokesman said Monday, suggesting Tokyo's readiness to improve bilateral ties, which have soured over wartime issues.

The delegation, headed by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol of the People Power Party, will visit Japan April 24 -- 28 for policy consultations with lawmakers, diplomats and business leaders before Yoon's planned inauguration on May 10.

On the occasion of the delegation's visit to Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a regular news conference that to restore healthy Japan-South Korean relations, we will closely communicate with the new government.

A spokeswoman for Yoon said Monday that the delegation will try to meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Yoon is widely seen as willing to improve relations with Japan after they have sunk to their lowest level in years under the current administration of President Moon Jae-in due to clashes over compensation for comfort women who suffered under Japan's military brothel system before and during World War II and wartime laborers.

Matsuno said that the soured ties should not be left as they are and underscored the importance of cooperation between the two countries as well as the United States at a time when North Korea has repeatedly launched missiles this year.

He said Japan and South Korea need to develop their ties based on their friendship and bilateral cooperation that have lasted since their diplomatic normalization and that they are pinning hopes on the next South Korean president's leadership.