New foreign minister attracts attention in South Korea, China

August 4, 2017

SEOUL/BEIJING- The appointment of Taro Kono as Japanese foreign minister on Thursday attracted immediate attention from South Korean and Chinese media.

Media in both countries reported that he is the eldest son of dovish politician Yohei Kono.

Yohei Kono as chief cabinet secretary in 1993 issued a statement acknowledging the involvement of then Japanese military forces in the recruitment of so-called comfort women, who were forced to work as prostitutes for Japanese troops before and during World War II.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency pointed to the possible positive impact of the appointment of Taro Kono on a dispute between the two countries over the comfort women.

South Korean television network KBS reported that attention is on whether his appointment will be a breakthrough in improving bilateral relations.

During his meeting with Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Yasumasa Nagamine in Seoul, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha conveyed his congratulations to Kono.

Chinese media also expressed a positive view of the appointment of Kono.

The Global Times, affiliated with the Communist Party of China, signaled hopes that Kono will take a dovish approach toward China. Jiji Press