South Korea and Japan should strive to open a new future by working to develop areas of mutual interest, Tokyo's top envoy to Seoul said Monday.

Ambassador Koro Bessho published his wishes for the new year in a monthly newsletter released by the Japanese Embassy, saying that last year was a "monumental" year in bilateral ties. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the normalization of the two countries' relations following Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

"I believe Japan and South Korea should find common interests, build a relationship of trust by working together and striving for those common interests, and open a new future," he said.

"Since taking office, I have said that Japan-South Korea relations are important not only for the two countries but for the region and the world," Bessho said. "I will continue to defend the spirit contained in the slogan agreed upon between the two countries to mark the 50th anniversary -- 'Let's open a new future together.'"

Among last year's events, the ambassador noted the first summit held between President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Seoul in November.

He did not mention the breakthrough agreement to resolve the issue of Korean women forced into sexual slavery for Japanese soldiers during World War II.

The deal, reached on Dec. 28, has raised controversy in South Korea with some criticizing the deal, saying that it fails to fully address the grievances of the surviving South Korean victims. (Yonhap)