President Lee Jae Myung shakes arms with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in entrance of their summit venue in Nara prefecture, Japan, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps
NARA, Japan — President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met for a summit in Nara prefecture Tuesday, reaffirming bilateral cooperation as the 2 international locations mark 60 years since normalizing diplomatic relations in 1965.
In his opening remarks, Lee acknowledged a shared historical past formed by Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea, which continues to have an effect on relations between the 2 international locations, whereas emphasizing the importance of newer historical past and the significance of future cooperation.
“Whereas we share painful experiences from the previous, it has now been 60 years because the normalization of Korea-Japan relations,” Lee mentioned. “As we start a brand new chapter towards the following 60 years, at this time’s assembly carries particular which means.”
Takaichi echoed the sentiment, underscoring the 2 international locations’ decadeslong cooperation and the necessity to elevate bilateral ties to a brand new stage.
“We want to make this yr, starting with the president’s go to to Japan, a yr by which Korea-Japan relations advance to the next dimension,” Takaichi mentioned.
President Lee Jae Myung shakes arms with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi forward of their summit in Nara prefecture, Japan, Tuesday. Yonhap
Each leaders harassed the significance of strengthening cooperation in an more and more complicated international setting. Lee mentioned shut coordination between Seoul and Tokyo was extra crucial than ever.
“On this difficult and unsettled worldwide order, Korea-Japan cooperation is extra necessary than the rest as we transfer towards a greater future,” Lee mentioned. “There are complicated, tough and uncomfortable elements, but additionally constructive ones. By nurturing what works effectively and punctiliously managing challenges, I imagine we are able to transfer ahead hand in hand towards a greater future.”
The Korean president added that cooperation between the 2 governments and their peoples can be important in shaping a brand new future for bilateral relations.
The Japanese prime minister additionally highlighted the strategic significance of Korea-Japan ties, calling on each international locations to work collectively to advertise regional stability.
The summit, held Tuesday afternoon, was adopted by an expanded session and a joint press convention. The assembly marked their third encounter since Takaichi took workplace in October 2025. They beforehand met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, final October and briefly on the G20 summit in South Africa final November.
President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attend an expanded assembly following their summit assembly in Nara prefecture, Japan, Tuesday. Yonhap
Nara holds particular significance because the Japanese prime minister’s hometown and political constituency. Lee proposed assembly there throughout Takaichi’s go to to Gyeongju for the APEC summit final yr.
It’s uncommon for a Japanese prime minister to ask a overseas head of state to their very own electoral district. The assembly was the first-ever summit between a Japanese prime minister and overseas chief in Nara.
Because the oldest of Japan’s former capital cities, Nara additionally holds significance as a symbolic website of historic alternate between Korea and Japan, reflecting cultural and diplomatic ties that date again greater than 1,500 years.
On Wednesday, the 2 leaders are set to go to Horyu-ji, a Buddhist temple that is likely one of the area’s most outstanding cultural heritage websites. Lee will then conclude his two-day go to to Japan by assembly with ethnic Koreans within the Kansai area, together with Osaka, earlier than returning house.
