"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Press Conference by the Prime Minister on the court case brought by a group of former comfort women

[Place]
[Date] January 8, 2021
[Source] Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet
[Notes] Provisional Translation
[Full text]

(On the court case brought by a group of former comfort women in the Republic of Korea)

First and foremost, under international law, sovereign states are immune from the jurisdiction of foreign courts. Since that is well-established, we believe that this suit must be dismissed. The issue of comfort women between Japan and the Republic of Korea is already settled completely and finally, through the 1965 Agreement on the Settlement of Problems concerning Property and Claims and on Economic Cooperation. We strongly demand that the ROK take measures to remedy breaches of international law.

Such a ruling is totally unacceptable in light of Japan's position.

(On the intrusion by rioters at the U.S. Capitol)

I hope the citizens of the United States will unite and move on under President-elect Biden.

(On the future responses regarding Japan-ROK relations)

Firstly, this case must be dismissed. That must be the starting point.