Ishiba Says Stable Japan-South Korea Relations Benefit Broader Region

TOKYO, Aug 23 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday stressed the importance of developing stable relations with South Korea, saying such ties would benefit not only the two nations but also the broader region, Kyodo news agency reported.

“Developing stable relations brings benefits not only to Japan and South Korea but also to the broader region,” Ishiba told South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the outset of their meeting at the prime minister’s office, which was open to the media.

The summit, Lee’s first bilateral overseas trip since taking office in June, highlighted his decision to prioritise Japan before the United States (US) -- a first for a South Korean president since the normalisation of ties in 1965.

The move is seen as a sign of his intention to place greater importance on relations with Tokyo.

Both leaders agreed to keep the momentum in bilateral cooperation and to promote people-to-people exchanges, including through a working holiday programme, as this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalisation.

The meeting, their second face-to-face encounter after talks at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada in June, comes as Japan and South Korea face shared challenges such as North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, China’s rise and declining birthrates.

Tokyo and Seoul, both US allies in Asia, are also working to deepen security cooperation with Washington while managing the economic impact of higher import tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

“Just as in personal relationships, relations between countries also require elements that can help manage conflicts and supplement each other,” Lee said, adding that now is the time for both countries to work together as the global order faces trade and security challenges.

Lee’s visit is part of efforts to maintain close communication through “shuttle diplomacy” -- reciprocal trips by leaders that resumed under his and Ishiba’s predecessors after years of strained ties.

Lee is scheduled to travel from Japan to the US for a summit with Trump, where tariffs are expected to top the agenda.

-- BERNAMA-KYODO