The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, hereinafter, North Korea) is the only member of the United Nations with which Japan does not maintain diplomatic relations. After 35 years of Japan’s colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula, which lasted until 1945, Japan normalized its diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in 1965. Yet, more than half a century later, the relationship between Japan and North Korea remains fraught, plagued by numerous unresolved issues and mutual distrust, with no prospects for improvement on the horizon.
However, there have been moments in the past when Japan and North Korea approached each other with a view toward normalizing diplomatic relations. This article looks back on the trajectory and context in which efforts by the two countries to draw closer were, despite initial promises, ultimately thwarted. In particular, it delves into the factors that led to a significant deterioration in relations between the two nations after the signing of the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration in 2002. Additionally, it provides a discussion on the current state of Japan-North Korea relations under the Suga and Kishida administrations.
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