The Liberal Democratic Party may not sponsor an event to mark Takeshima Day on Feb. 22 despite pledging to do so during its election campaign, an LDP executive said Friday, in another apparent effort by party chief Shinzo Abe to improve strained ties with South Korea.
Abe, who is set to become the prime minister next week, is also sending Lower House lawmaker Fukushiro Nukaga as a special envoy to Seoul, reportedly as early as next week, in an attempt to smooth relations amid the sovereignty row over the South Korea-administered Takeshima Islands.
A senior LDP official said Abe directly requested Nukaga, a ruling party heavyweight and secretary general of a Japan-South Korea lawmakers' friendship association, for the sensitive task. Nukaga is busy arranging the trip and diplomatic schedule, and will reportedly be dispatched to Seoul with a personal letter from Abe to South Korean President-elect Park Geun Hye to propose the two hold a summit.
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