President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a summit in Nara Prefecture, Japan, on January 13th and reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation for the next 60 years, following the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations. President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi agreed to strengthen cooperation not only on historical issues, such as the Chosei Coal Mine incident, but also on a wide range of social issues, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, security, the economy, regional growth, and the declining birth rate
and aging population. The two leaders held a 100-minute roundtable discussion and expanded meeting, and announced in a joint press release that they agreed to expand bilateral cooperation into a comprehensive partnership. President Lee emphasized, “Today, the international situation and trade order are experiencing unprecedented turmoil, and technological innovations, including artificial intelligence (AI), are fundamentally transforming our lives and our future.” He added, “In this pivotal moment in the history of civilization, deepening and broadening cooperation between Korea and Japan is an urgent task of our time.” He continued, “At today’s summit, Prime Minister Takaichi and I had extensive discussions on practical ways to continue future-oriented cooperation between our two countries, building on the foundation of shuttle diplomacy that our two countries have established so far.”
Strengthening cooperation on AI and intellectual property protection
The President emphasized, “First, in the economic sphere, our two countries need comprehensive cooperation beyond trade-centered cooperation to jointly develop economic security, science and technology, and international norms.” He continued, “We have agreed to initiate discussions between relevant authorities to explore such cooperation measures.” He added, “We have also agreed to continue working-level consultations to further deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as AI and intellectual property protection.”
The two leaders also held in-depth discussions on areas of social cooperation that the peoples of both countries can truly appreciate. President Lee stated, “The two countries highly valued the joint discussions on low birth rates, aging populations, balanced national growth, agriculture, disaster prevention, and suicide prevention through the ‘Korea-Japan Common Social Issues Consultation’ launched last year.” He added, “We agreed to continue to produce concrete and tangible results to address common challenges, such as regional growth.”
They also agreed to strengthen their response to transnational crime. President Lee explained, “Our two countries have agreed to strengthen our joint response to transnational crimes, including scams.” He added, “We have agreed to have Japan participate in the International Cooperation Council launched by our National Police Agency and to adopt an agreement to institutionally support cooperation between our two countries.” He also stated, “South Korea and Japan will strengthen the safety of their citizens in third countries and jointly contribute to addressing transnational crimes that pose a threat to countries around the world.”
Furthermore, the two leaders agreed that, with people-to-people exchanges reaching 12 million people, fostering mutual understanding between future generations is the foundation of a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship. To this end, President Lee proposed measures to expand the quantitative and qualitative exchanges between younger generations, as well as to expand the mutual recognition of technical qualifications, currently limited to the IT sector, to other areas, including streamlining immigration procedures and encouraging school trips.
President Lee also emphasized the importance of cooperation beyond South Korea-Japan relations, including cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan, as well as among South Korea, China, and Japan. He also emphasized the need for the three Northeast Asian countries of South Korea, China, and Japan to find common ground as much as possible, communicate, and cooperate together. He added, “The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace, and agreed to continue close cooperation on North Korea policy.”
Promoting DNA testing on Josei coal mine victims
The summit also addressed specific historical issues between South Korea and Japan. President Lee stated, “We have decided to pursue DNA testing to identify the remains discovered at the Josei Coal Mine in Ube City, Japan, and to hold working-level consultations between the authorities on specific details.” The Josei Coal Mine was an underwater coal mine where approximately 130 Korean workers were forcibly conscripted during the Pacific War. In 1942, the mine collapsed, flooding 183 Korean and Japanese people, including Japanese. It wasn’t until August 2025, more than 80 years later, that the first presumed remains of the victims were discovered.
President Lee said, “I think it is meaningful that this summit has allowed us to make small but meaningful progress on historical issues,” and predicted, “As today’s Korea-Japan summit demonstrates, the new year of Byung-o will be a starting point to look back on the past 60 years of Korea-Japan relations and prepare for the next 60 years.” He added, “Just as Prime Minister Takaichi and I have come to understand each other more deeply and become closer through sincere conversation, I sincerely hope that this year will be the first year of a new 60 years in which Korea and Japan will truly become closer through even more in-depth exchanges and cooperation and move forward together vigorously toward the future.”
Takaichi: “
This is the first time a foreign leader has been invited to Nara Prefecture.” Prime Minister Takaichi stated, “Since taking office, President Lee has been the first to invite a foreign leader to Nara Prefecture. This demonstrates the friendship and trust between the President and me. Building on this relationship, I was able to exchange meaningful opinions with the President on a wide range of agenda items at today’s summit.”
He continued, “As the strategic environment surrounding our two countries becomes increasingly severe, the importance of Japan-ROK relations and solidarity among Japan, ROK, and the United States is growing.” He added, “President Lee and I shared a common understanding of the strategic importance of this Japan-ROK relationship and confirmed that our two countries must play a joint role in regional stability.” He added, “I anticipate that this year, starting with the President’s visit to Japan, will be a year in which we can elevate bilateral relations to an even higher level.”
This summit marks the fifth South Korea-Japan summit since President Lee Myung-bak took office. It is also the second such meeting since former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned and Prime Minister Takaichi took office. The two leaders previously met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Gyeongju in late October of last year.
Wi Sung-rak, director of the National Security Office, said, “This summit came about less than three months after Prime Minister Takaichi visited South Korea in October of last year to attend the APEC summit. This is the third meeting if you include the G20 meeting in December,” and evaluated it as “showing that the shuttle diplomacy between the South Korean and Japanese leaders, which resumed with the visit to Japan in August, has fully taken root.” He also said, “Since the two leaders formed a consensus on the direction of development of South Korea-Japan relations through the previous two meetings, this time they focused on candidly discussing specific measures to deepen and expand cooperation.”
Prime Minister Takaichi came out to President Lee’s residence to give him a warm welcome.
Prime Minister Takaichi’s exceptional courtesy was particularly evident at this summit. Prior to the summit on January 13th, Prime Minister Takaichi personally arrived at President Lee’s residence to greet him and his wife. While the hotel had initially planned to receive them, Prime Minister Takaichi arrived in person. President Lee responded, “We are deeply humbled by this unwavering welcome. I’m sure the Japanese people, as well as the people of the Republic of Korea, will be truly grateful for this gesture from the Prime Minister.”
On this day, the president wore a purple tie, a mix of blue and red, the colors symbolizing Korea and Japan. This symbolizes the harmony and connection between Korea and Japan.
Meanwhile, Nara City, where this summit was held, is Japan’s oldest ancient capital and is considered a symbolic location of Korea-Japan exchange, dating back approximately 1,500 years, to the ancient Korean Peninsula and Japan. Nara is also Prime Minister Takaichi’s hometown and constituency. President Lee stated, “Long ago, our ancestors opened their hearts here, shared technology and culture, and developed together. Today, I am reminded of the wisdom of ‘onkojishin’ (溫故知新), ‘learning from the old to understand the new,’ through the history of exchange that began here in Nara some 1,500 years ago.” <K
-Gonggam Kang Jeong-mi and Lee Geun-ha>
A surprise drum ensemble at a Korea-Japan friendly event
, “A unified sound… deepening cooperation between the two countries.”
President Lee Jae-myung attended a friendly meeting immediately following the Japan-South Korea summit held in Nara Prefecture, Japan, on January 13th. During the meeting, President Lee and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi performed a surprise drum ensemble, captivating the audience. Blue House Spokesperson Kim Nam-joon explained in a press briefing that this was a surprise event prepared by the Japanese side without prior notice, symbolically demonstrating the synergy and closeness between the two leaders.
The two leaders wore blue uniforms provided by Japan and sat side by side in front of drums from Pearl, a leading Japanese musical instrument brand. The uniforms featured the flags of their respective countries and the leaders’ English names, embodying a symbol of friendship and mutual respect. Prime Minister Takaichi presented President Lee with drumsticks on the spot and personally explained how to play them, leading the ensemble. Prime Minister Takaichi is known to be a drum enthusiast, having formed a heavy metal band during his school days and played as a drummer.
The two leaders transformed their conversation into a special cultural exchange by performing “Golden,” an original soundtrack song from the animated series “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” and “Dynamite” by BTS. After the performance, they signed and exchanged drumsticks. According to Spokesperson Kim, President Lee remarked, “Today, I achieved a lifelong dream. Playing the drums has been my dream since I was little.”
The president later said through social media, “At first, the ensemble, which added a common harmony on top of each other’s beats, felt a little awkward, but the more we played, the more the sound came together as one.” He added, “Just as we respected each other’s differences and matched the rhythm, I hope that this year, Korea and Japan can deepen their cooperation and become closer, one step at a time.”
After their conversation, the two leaders moved to the banquet hall and enjoyed a dinner that lasted approximately 105 minutes, beginning at 7 p.m. In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Takaichi said, “I am delighted to welcome President Lee, Madam Lee, and the Korean delegation to my homeland.” He added, “This year is the Year of the Horse. I hope that our bilateral relationship can develop as vigorously as the horse.” The toast that followed expressed his hopes for the development of bilateral relations and happiness. President Lee then said, “I am very happy to have learned from you something I’ve always wanted to do,” drawing laughter by imitating drumming.
President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi visit Horyuji Temple, a symbol of ancient Japan-Korea relations, during a friendly event, offering “the highest level of hospitality Japan can offer.”
On January 14th, the second day of his visit to Japan, President Lee Jae-myung visited Horyuji Temple in Nara Prefecture and had a friendly exchange with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Horyuji Temple, Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its influence from Baekje wooden architecture and offers a glimpse into ancient Korean-Japanese history. The two leaders held five rounds of talks over two days, beginning with a small group meeting the previous day, followed by expanded talks, a joint press release, conversations, a dinner, and a visit to Horyuji Temple.
That day, Prime Minister Takaichi personally meticulously observed the itinerary and route, demonstrating his attentive hospitality. After a brief conversation in front of the temple, the two leaders listened to the chief priest’s explanation and toured the interior. They then visited Horyuji’s central Kondo Hall, the five-story pagoda, the oldest wooden pagoda in Japan, and the Baekje Kannon statue.
Prime Minister Takaichi then opened a storage facility off-limits to the public and unveiled the original “Golden Hall Mural,” which had been damaged by a fire in the past and is now being strictly preserved and managed. National Security Office Director Wi Seong-rak praised this in a briefing, saying, “This is the highest level of hospitality Japan can offer our President for his first visit to a foreign country.”
The two leaders shook hands and took a commemorative photo near Geumdang. After the photo session, President Lee told Prime Minister Takaichi, “You are truly remarkable,” and the Prime Minister escorted President Lee to his vehicle. The two leaders exchanged three farewell handshakes during the procession.
Considering Prime Minister Takaichi’s avid drum enthusiast, the President gifted him a drum set, red ginseng, and cheonggukjang powder and pills. The drum set consisted of Korean-brand drums and sticks decorated with mother-of-pearl lacquerware by master wood and lacquer craftsman Jang Jun-cheol, adding a touch of traditional beauty. The Blue House said the red ginseng and cheonggukjang were intended for the Prime Minister’s health during his demanding duties.
Former lawmaker Taku Yamamoto, Japan’s “First Gentleman,” was presented with a set of handmade lacquered brassware and a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. The Blue House explained that the brassware was “inspired by an anecdote from Prime Minister Takaichi’s wife who proposed to her over the phone, saying, ‘I will cook delicious food for you for the rest of your life.'” Regarding the smartwatch, the Blue House stated, “We gave her a watch featuring Korea’s leading technology so that she can take care of her health.”
Prime Minister Takaichi presented President Lee with a Casio wristwatch, and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung with a cosmetic brush and pouch from a traditional brush manufacturer representing Nara Prefecture. The Casio watch was reportedly an eco-friendly model equipped with solar charging and direction-measuring capabilities.
[출처] 대한민국 정책브리핑(www.korea.kr)
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