"Japan's Ishiba to Visit Korea in January Next Year... Coordinating Talks with President Yoon"

Yomiuri "First Visit Country... Attitude Valuing Korea"

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is reportedly coordinating plans to visit South Korea in January next year for a summit meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 28th, citing multiple government sources.

The visit is likely to take place in early January, before the convening of Japan's regular Diet session next year. Yomiuri stated, "(South Korea) is expected to be the first country visited for bilateral diplomacy purposes, excluding foreign visits linked to international conferences, demonstrating Prime Minister Ishiba's emphasis on South Korea."

Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister of Japan. Photo by Yonhap News

Marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Prime Minister Ishiba aims to strengthen cooperation across a wide range of fields, including civilian exchanges. He plans to revitalize 'shuttle diplomacy' involving reciprocal visits between the South Korean and Japanese leaders to solidify improved relations.

At the summit, expanding Japan-South Korea defense cooperation is expected to be on the agenda, based on Russia and North Korea's military linkage and increased Chinese military activities. Ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump's second administration in the United States on January 20 next year, the trilateral alliance among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan is also expected to be reaffirmed.