Lee, Takaichi call for deeper Korea-Japan ties

Jan 14, 2026, 08:05 am

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President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands ahead of an expanded summit session in Nara Prefecture on Jan. 13. / Yonhap

President Lee Jae-myung on Jan. 13 called for deeper cooperation between South Korea and Japan, urging the two neighbors to “walk hand in hand into a new 60 years together” amid an increasingly complex global order.

Speaking during a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Nara Prefecture, Lee said cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo “is more important than ever,” adding that both sides should build on their strengths while managing differences to create a better future together.

The meeting marked the leaders’ first face-to-face talks in about 70 days, following their encounter on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju last October.

Lee noted that while the two countries share a painful history, the normalization of diplomatic ties has now passed its 60th anniversary, opening a new chapter. “South Korea and Japan achieved remarkable growth after the war, and each country has been a great source of strength for the other,” he said, acknowledging that while challenges remain, positive aspects also coexist.

He reiterated his hope that the two leaders—along with the peoples of both nations—could work together toward a shared future. Takaichi echoed the sentiment, saying she hoped Lee’s visit would mark the start of a year in which bilateral ties advance to “a higher level.”

Takaichi added that the talks reaffirmed the need for the two countries to cooperate in promoting regional stability, expressing satisfaction that both sides demonstrated the resilience of their relationship during last year’s 60th anniversary of normalized ties.

Lee wore a purple tie blending blue and red—the colors symbolizing South Korea and Japan, respectively—an image the presidential office said represented harmony and connection. A day earlier, Takaichi personally welcomed Lee at his accommodation in Nara, an upgrade from the originally planned hotel greeting, underscoring the significance Tokyo attached to the visit.

#South Korea Japan relations #bilateral cooperation #summit talks #Nara visit #APEC meeting