Japanese intellectuals respond to forced labor issue

Japanese intellectuals respond to forced labor issue

Atsushi Okamoto, former editor-in-chief of the leading Japanese progressive journal "Sekai (The World)," speaks during a news conference on the South Korean government's idea to address the issue of wartime forced labor compensation in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2023. Okamoto, along with 93 other Japanese intellectuals, released a statement opposing the idea, arguing the issue cannot be solved without taking into account the victims' opinions. On Jan. 12, Seoul suggested using a public foundation based in South Korea to provide compensation to Korean victims who successfully sued two Japanese firms -- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Nippon Steel Corp. (Yonhap)

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