Japan, S. Korea Lawmakers to Meet on Oct. 24-25

Tokyo, Sept. 30 (Jiji Press)--Members of a suprapartisan group of Japanese lawmakers confirmed Tuesday that it will hold a joint meeting with its South Korean counterpart in Seoul on Oct. 24-25. At the meeting, the Japanese and South Korean lawmakers will be divided into subgroups, and one of them will discuss history issues, including on so-called comfort women, mainly Koreans, who were forced to serve as prostitutes for Japanese troops during the wartime. The Japanese group "should not avoid discussions on sensitive issues," former Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura, a senior member of the Japanese group, told reporters. Kawamura, a House of Representatives member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, also said that the group is hoping to make a courtesy call on South Korean President Park Geun-hye. Relations between Japan and South Korea have been strained due to history and territorial issues. END