South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met in Tokyo on August 23, 2025, for a historic summit that marked a significant step forward in bilateral ties. This was the first time in sixty years that a South Korean leader selected Japan as his initial overseas destination, and the meeting produced the first joint statement between the two countries in seventeen years.
During the talks, both leaders highlighted the importance of turning the page on past disputes and building a relationship based on cooperation. President Lee called for a forward-looking partnership that focuses on mutual benefits, while Prime Minister Ishiba expressed Japan’s deep remorse and renewed apology for its colonial-era actions, including forced labor and the suffering of comfort women.
The discussions laid out a wide-ranging agenda for collaboration. Both nations pledged to strengthen cooperation in areas such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, demographic issues like low birth rates and aging societies, as well as disaster preparedness. Security coordination, particularly in response to North Korea’s growing threats, was also a central theme. The joint statement further reaffirmed the importance of maintaining close ties with the United States to ensure regional stability.
On the economic front, the two leaders agreed to preserve a 15% tariff on goods exported to the U.S., avoiding heavier duties threatened by Washington. This decision was seen as a strategic response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies and an effort to safeguard trade interests.
The Tokyo visit also came just days before President Lee’s scheduled meeting with President Trump in Washington. Analysts believe that consolidating ties with Japan ahead of the U.S. trip strengthens South Korea’s diplomatic position in upcoming negotiations on defense spending, trade, and military cooperation.
The summit is widely viewed as a reset in Japan–South Korea relations. While historical grievances cannot be erased, both governments are now prioritizing shared economic and security challenges. By focusing on practical cooperation, Tokyo and Seoul are positioning themselves as partners in shaping a more stable and strategically aligned future for East Asia.
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