HONOLULU -- The controversy over middle school textbooks continues to damage relations between Japan and South Korea. Last week, the Seoul government announced that it was canceling military exchanges and the introduction of Japanese cultural products in retaliation for Tokyo's failure to meet South Korean concerns and halt distribution of the text.
Japan's response thus far has been technically correct -- the government cannot halt production of the book without violating its Constitution -- but it has not eased tensions. Neither does that policy serve the national interest. In fact, it would be difficult to come up with a policy that could do more harm.
Japan needs to recognize the damage that is being done to its relations with a critical partner in Northeast Asia. Tokyo must take the initiative to solve this problem and reverse the ill will that is being bred in South Korea.