Japanese media claimed that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida should have directly apologized and expressed remorse on the issue of forced labor in Japanese Colonial Period at a joint press conference with President Yoon Seok-yeol after the ROK-Japan summit on 7 July.

The Tokyo Shimbun analyzed in an editorial today (9 May) that "the timing of Prime Minister Kishida's visit to the ROK was accelerated because it was necessary to convey that improving relations between South Korea and Japan would benefit both countries, considering that President Yun, who visited Japan in March, was criticized for conducting 'subservient diplomacy with Japan.'"

Regarding Prime Minister Kishida's statement that he was "heartbroken" on the premise of his personal opinion with the victims of conscription in mind, he said, "There are louder voices in Korea welcoming it with expressions of emotion than before," but "there were many expressions that (he) made around him."

He pointed out, "Shouldn't we have expressed more direct remorse and apologies, prepared for criticism at home, and responded to President Yun's initiative to improve relations with Japan?"

The Tokyo Shimbun newspaper said that "shuttle diplomacy," in which the leaders of South Korea and Japan regularly travel to and from each other, has been suspended several times due to confrontations over historical perceptions, and urged, "The two heads of state and the government should show their intention to vigorously continue and develop shuttle diplomacy."

The Mainichi Shimbun noted that Prime Minister Kishida's personal expression of regret reflected the Japanese government's position that the issue of conscription compensation was terminated by the 3 Japan-Korea Claims Agreement.

He said former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed "heartfelt apology and remorse" during the 1965 Comfort Women agreement, but since the agreement has effectively collapsed, dissatisfaction with the mention of apology has grown stronger within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

An official at the Prime Minister's Residence told Mainichi, "If you apologize, there is a possibility that (South Korea) will ask for an apology again later," adding, "The prime minister's 'heartache' is the prime minister's own consideration for (South Korea)."

In an editorial, the Yomiuri Shimbun said, "There is criticism in South Korea that President Yun has made excessive concessions, and if Japan ignores President Yun's efforts, the situation could turn around," and that "Prime Minister Kishida's expression of regret is intended to positively evaluate President Yun's political determination and soften the backlash in South Korea."

Yomiuri also introduced the status of the Korean government's implementation of the conscription reparations solution, adding, "Prime Minister Kishida should not forget the importance of being considerate of the other side's position."