Since last summer, Japan has implemented regulations on some export items for South Korea. Most of the semiconductor parts, which are South Korea’s major export items, are dependent on imports from Japan, but Japan announced export regulations for those parts. This has deepened the conflict between the two countries.
  Japan’s export regulations did not happen without reason. Abe’s government has still not apologized for the forced labor or their military sexual slavery from the past. He also claims that the 1965 Korea-Japan Claims Agreement already removed individual rights to claim damages from slavery. It can be said that Abe has imposed export restrictions on South Korea due to Korea’s continuing demands. However, I think Abe’s actions have different purposes. There are two main reasons why Abe wants to create a crisis for the Korean economy through export regulations. One is Japanese colonial perceptions about Korea. From the time when Japan invaded Korea’s national sovereignty in the name of modernization, Japan has regarded Korea as uncivilized. Thus, it robbed our country of its sovereignty in the name of altering the civilization of Joseon. Also, the Korea Civil War broke out after the Japanese occupation led to an economic downturn. After the war, Korea learned about technology by sending personnel to Southeast Asia. No one expected that Korea would recover and prosper, but after overcoming adversity, Korea has risen to become an export powerhouse. However, Japan seems to recognize Korea as a second-class country. Japan considers itself as a first-class country and thinks Korea will never become a first-class country. However, Korea’s rapid economic growth has caught up to Japan’s. I think Japan feels threatened by Korea, which Japan has always considered to be inferior, and by how it is now on the verge of surpassing them. Therefore, Japan has implemented export regulations for various reasons to contain the Korean economy. Not all Japanese citizens have a sense of disrespect for Korea, but the current Japanese government seems to think that Korea is lagging behind them.
  The other reason is Abe’s plan to maintain his political power. On July 21st, Japan held a parliamentary election. Abe needed to secure more than two-thirds of the votes to revise the national law, but he failed to achieve it. Also, to revise the law, the conservatives have to reach a consensus, but they failed to do so. The conservatives consistently emphasize policies regarding national security. Tensions between North and South Korea are reasonable causes used to justify their security policies. Therefore, Abe might prefer the relationship between South and North Korea to remain tense. However, Trump, the president of the current U.S. government, is pushing for reconciliation with North and South Korea. The United States has been more open concerning talks with North Korea. Also, Trump is trying to   raise taxes on goods from Japan, but Abe asked for a delay of the tax regulation until after Japan’s elections. North Korea has also demanded that the Japanese government make amends for past slavery issues, but North Korea has not ever met Abe. Against this backdrop, Abe has been unable to intervene in inter-Korean relationships at all, making it difficult to please his conservative party. In my extremely personal view, Abe wants to develop military power through law revisions and regain the power to attack other countries first.
  So far, Abe’s export restrictions have been expected to bring about a crisis for the Korean economy, but in an effort to prevent that, Korea is seeking other ways to find a solution. I think Japan’s export regulations have begun to become a self-defeating factor for Japan. Abe is also believed to have responded emotionally to the long-standing negative relations between South Korea and Japan, but perhaps he is just trying to keep himself in power. However, Korea is no longer lagging behind Japan in economics or civic consciousness. Export restrictions are not only intended to topple South Korea’s economy but also to achieve Abe’s ambitions to keep his political power. Although it is a personal view, I think the attitude of the present Japanese government needs to improve drastically.