(ATR) Tokyo governor Yoichi Masuzoe sees improved relations with South Korea as a key to a successful 2020 Olympics.
"Can Japan possibly successfully hold the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when it is being confrontational with its neighbors South Korea and China?" Masuzoe told media in South Korea.
Masuzoe is currently visiting South Korean President Park Geun-hye in an attempt to improve bilateral relations between the two countries.
Japan and South Korea have a strained relationship, thanks to territorial disputes and differing views of wartime history, and thus no bilateral summit talks have been held since Shinzo Abe became prime minister in December 2012.
During her meeting with Masuzoe, Park commented that "bilateral relations are becoming difficult due to some Japanese politicians’ inappropriate remarks and acts."
"I would like you to work toward a stable relationship while sharing a correct historical perspective," she added.
Masuzoe also plans to visit sites of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul during his time in South Korea.
Written by Andrew Murrell
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