Lee plans Korea–Japan summit in Takaichi’s hometown

Dec 09, 2025, 09:55 am

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President Lee Jae-myung guides Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to their seats after a photo session during the Korea–Japan summit at the APEC leaders’ meeting venue in Gyeongju on October 30. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung is working to arrange a bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi next month in Nara Prefecture, her hometown, in what would mark the latest step in revitalizing shuttle diplomacy between the two governments.

The initiative follows President Lee’s suggestion during the Korea–Japan summit held on the sidelines of the APEC leaders’ meeting in Gyeongju at the end of October. At that time, he told Prime Minister Takaichi that he hoped their next meeting would take place not in Tokyo but in a regional city.

According to political sources on December 8, President Lee is coordinating with Japan’s foreign ministry to visit Nara in mid-January for a two-day trip. The plan reflects his earlier remarks at a post-summit press conference on October 30, when he said, “In keeping with the spirit of shuttle diplomacy, I would be the one to visit Japan next time, and I suggested Nara if possible. Prime Minister Takaichi welcomed the idea very warmly.”

If realized, the meeting in Japan next month would be the fifth Korea–Japan summit since President Lee took office.

The presidential office, however, stated that no schedule has yet been finalized, noting that “President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi agreed to continue shuttle diplomacy during their APEC and G20 meetings, but specific arrangements are still under discussion.”

Meanwhile, the presidential office is also reviewing the possibility of President Lee visiting China for a summit with President Xi Jinping.

#Korea–Japan summit #Lee Jae-myung #Sanae Takaichi #shuttle diplomacy