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President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba share a bright smile as they switch seats during their bilateral summit on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, on June 17. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung held his first summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on June 17 (local time) in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, during the Group of Seven (G7) summit. The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation during their 30-minute meeting, marking a significant diplomatic milestone just 14 days after Lee’s inauguration.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you face to face after our phone call,” President Lee greeted Ishiba, adding, “In Korea, we often describe Japan as a ‘close yet distant neighbor.’ But our two countries are inseparable—like neighbors who share a front yard.”

Lee continued, “While there are differences in opinion, I hope Korea and Japan can move beyond them and build a mutually beneficial partnership. As the international trade environment and global political landscape become more challenging, closer cooperation between Korea and Japan—who have complementary strengths—will be of great help to both.”

He added, “I hope today’s meeting will serve as a stepping stone for a more future-oriented relationship between our two countries.”

Prime Minister Ishiba responded warmly, saying, “Though this is our first in-person meeting, you appear on Japanese television daily, so it doesn’t feel like the first time. Congratulations on your inauguration.”

Acknowledging current global instability, Ishiba noted, “The international situation is becoming increasingly severe—not only in Ukraine and the Middle East, but also in Asia. I believe many of these regional issues are interconnected.”

He emphasized, “I sincerely hope that Korea-Japan cooperation and coordination will not only benefit our region but also contribute positively to the world.”

Ishiba also pointed out the significance of 2025 as the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between Korea and Japan. “I heard a large reception was held in Seoul to mark the anniversary, and while you couldn’t attend due to this summit, I was told your heartfelt message moved many,” he said.

He further noted the surge in people-to-people exchanges: “Many Koreans are visiting Japan, especially during the ongoing Kansai Expo. Korea is the top origin country for foreign visitors to Japan, and Japan is also the most visited country for Koreans. I hope this anniversary will further energize exchanges not only between our governments and businesses but also between our citizens.”

President Lee and Prime Minister Ishiba had their first official phone call on June 9, where they agreed to deepen bilateral ties.

Present at the meeting on the Korean side were National Security Office Director Wi Seong-rak and presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. Japan was represented by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiichiro Tachibana, National Security Secretariat Director-General Masataka Okano, Foreign Ministry senior official Hiroyuki Namazu, Director-General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Masaaki Kanai, and Prime Minister’s Secretary Akihiro Tsuchimichi.