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South Korea and Japan Issue First Joint Summit Statement in 17 Years as Lee Heads to Washington

The Tokyo meeting set a reset that positions both governments for closer trilateral coordination ahead of Lee’s tariff talks with President Trump.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung after meeting the press following their talks at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on August 23, 2025.
This photo, provided by South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, shows Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and South Korean and U.S. troops posing for a photo during his visit to a wartime command center on Aug. 20, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Overview

  • Lee Jae Myung and Shigeru Ishiba agreed to resume shuttle diplomacy and launched plans for a Korea–Japan consultative body to address shared challenges like low birthrates and regional revitalization.
  • The leaders pledged deeper cooperation in future industries, including hydrogen energy and artificial intelligence, as part of a forward-looking economic agenda.
  • Both sides devoted substantial small-group time to U.S. trade strategy, with Japan sharing its experience on tariff talks ahead of Lee’s White House meeting.
  • People-to-people exchanges are set to expand through a broader working holiday program, complementing steps to stabilize ties.
  • Historical disputes were acknowledged but not revisited in detail, while the joint statement emphasized strengthening Korea–U.S.–Japan coordination on security and economic issues.