On January 13, 2026, President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a summit in Nara, Japan. This meeting marked the first visit by a Korean president to Japan since Prime Minister Takaichi took office, continuing the tradition of shuttle diplomacy between the two countries. During the joint press conference, President Lee emphasized that deepening and broadening Korea-Japan cooperation is an urgent task in this era of civilizational transition. The choice of historic cities like Gyeongju and Nara symbolizes the longstanding history of exchange and cooperation between the two nations.
President Lee referenced Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit to Gyeongju last October and his own visit to Nara, highlighting the expansion of bilateral exchanges beyond simple meetings to encompass economic, social, and cultural spheres. Both leaders agreed on the need for comprehensive cooperation in economic security, science and technology, and international norms, initiating discussions between relevant authorities. They also decided to deepen practical cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence and intellectual property protection, and praised the achievements of the Korea-Japan Common Social Issues Council in addressing issues like low birth rates, aging populations, agriculture, disaster prevention, and suicide prevention.
Regarding transnational crime, the two countries agreed to strengthen joint responses to crimes such as scams. Japan will participate in the international cooperation council led by the Korean National Police Agency, and both sides will adopt an agreement to institutionalize cooperation. In terms of people-to-people exchanges, the leaders proposed expanding youth exchanges, simplifying immigration procedures, promoting school trips, and mutual recognition of technical qualifications, recognizing that fostering mutual understanding among future generations is key to future-oriented Korea-Japan relations. The importance of Korea-Japan-U.S. cooperation for regional peace and stability, as well as trilateral communication among Korea, China, and Japan, was also emphasized.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, agreeing to maintain close coordination on North Korea policy. Regarding the 1942 Josei coal mine accident in Ube City, Japan, they will pursue DNA testing for identification of remains and conduct working-level consultations. President Lee expressed hope that this summit would serve as a starting point for reflecting on the past 60 years of Korea-Japan relations and preparing for the next 60 years, encouraging both nations and their peoples to move forward together through deeper exchanges and cooperation.