Former Japanese foreign minister Yohei Kono criticises Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over North Korea
As chief cabinet secretary in 1993, Kono issued a landmark apology to Korean “comfort women” forced to work in Japan’s wartime military brothels
Yohei Kono, a former lower house speaker and the father of Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, criticised Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday for his handling of North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, urging him to work closely with China.
The US, Japan and South Korea have been eager to cooperate in putting pressure on Pyongyang, but “have not tried to proceed with policies [against the North] with China,” said Kono, a former foreign minister, at the Japan National Press Club.
“It is obvious that China is the country that can persuade North Korea as China accounts for most of North Korea’s trade. Even if the United States imposes tougher economic sanctions, their effectiveness would hinge on China’s move.”
Unless China takes part in compiling proposed sanctions against Pyongyang, “the situation will not get better” if Washington, Tokyo and Seoul seek Beijing’s cooperation only after punitive measures are determined, Kono added.
Japan has asked China to play a key role in dealing with North Korea, but at the same time has sought to form a “coalition against China” with nations including India and Australia amid China’s growing assertiveness in regional waters, Kono said.