South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo on 23 August, marking Lee’s first bilateral trip since taking office in June and the first time a South Korean president has visited Japan before Washington. The meeting coincides with the 60th anniversary of the 1965 treaty that established diplomatic relations between the neighbours. After roughly two hours of talks at the prime minister’s office, the leaders released a joint statement – the first issued by the two governments in 17 years – pledging to develop relations in a “stable and future-oriented manner.” Ishiba reiterated that his government upholds previous Japanese cabinet positions, including the 1998 declaration that expressed remorse for Japan’s colonial rule. Both sides agreed to resume shuttle diplomacy and intensify strategic communication on security and economic security. They reaffirmed their shared goal of the complete denuclearization of North Korea and said trilateral coordination with the United States remains vital amid regional tensions and shifting trade rules. Economic and societal cooperation featured prominently. Tokyo and Seoul will expand collaboration in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and hydrogen, establish supply-chain partnerships for critical minerals, and create a new consultative body to address common challenges including low birthrates, ageing populations and regional revitalization. The leaders also doubled working-holiday visa eligibility to two stays to boost people-to-people exchanges. Lee’s two-day visit precedes his 25 August summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring Seoul’s effort to reinforce ties with both Washington and Tokyo at a time of rapid change in the global security and trade order. Japan’s defence minister is expected to travel to South Korea in early September to maintain the momentum generated by the Tokyo talks.