Overview

• Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba begins a two-day reciprocal visit following President Lee Jae Myung’s August trip to Tokyo.
• The leaders are scheduled for summit talks in Busan and a dinner hosted by President Lee, with a joint document likely after the meeting.
• Discussions will focus on shared demographic challenges and regional revitalization alongside cooperation on artificial intelligence and hydrogen energy.
• Trade is not on the formal agenda, though the sides are expected to exchange views on the international trade order given recent U.S. tariff moves and deals.
• The visit is expected to be Ishiba’s final trip to South Korea as prime minister following his resignation announcement earlier this month.