The Japan-Korea 'History Problem': Causes and Structures of Conflicts over the Colonial Past

Japan and South Korea have a close relationship geographically, economically, and national security-wise, but they have continued to clash over so-called "history problems.” These are conflicts caused by differences in historical recognition between Japan and Korea, such as issues of war compensation, that remain unresolved. This conflict is closely related to the period of Japanese colonial rule (1910-45), and therefore the “History Problem” includes the ‘Comfort Women’ issue as well as ‘forced mobilisation and labour’ issues. Since the 1960s in Japan, there has been an ongoing citizen movement to uncover the history of forced mobilisation across the country and to support its victims. This presentation will focus on the structure and development of the History Problem between Japan and South Korea, including recent changes in mutual understanding.

Speaker: Prof. Anzako Yuka

Professor, Ritsumeikan University

Visiting Scholar, CAP

Sponsored by the ANU Korea Institute and the CAP Partnerships Office