Japanese Prime Minister: "International Situation Severe... Korea-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Must Be Strengthened"

Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union Meets in Tokyo
Takaichi Stresses Cooperation Ahead of Korea-Japan Summit

Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan, emphasized to South Korean National Assembly members visiting Japan that "in a situation where the international landscape, including economic security, is becoming increasingly severe, friendship and cooperation between Korea and Japan are more important than ever."

Joo Ho-young, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly and President of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union, along with members of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union and the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, visited Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo on the 9th and took a commemorative photo. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to a press release from the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union on the 10th, Prime Minister Takaichi made these remarks during a meeting with members of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union and the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo on the 9th.

On this day, Prime Minister Takaichi also mentioned the need to continue parliamentary exchanges centered on the bipartisan parliamentarians' union and the necessity of shuttle diplomacy between leaders, while once again stressing the importance of both Korea-Japan and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation.

These remarks drew attention as they coincided with China's move to restrict rare earth exports following Prime Minister Takaichi's comments about possible intervention in the event of a Taiwan contingency. The leaders of Korea and Japan are scheduled to hold a summit in Japan on the 13th, and the Office of the President has indicated that the issue of export controls, which could also affect Korea, may be discussed at the meeting.

Regarding this, Joo Ho-young, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly and President of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union, stated, "Difficult issues should be managed calmly, and good opportunities should be developed into win-win and mutually beneficial outcomes," adding, "I believe that preparations for the future have already been made, taking last year's 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization as an opportunity."

Vice Speaker Joo presented Korean cosmetics and Gim (dried seaweed) as gifts to Prime Minister Takaichi.

The meeting was attended by Min Hongchul, Lee Seongkwon, Bae Hyunjin, Lee Jaegang, and other members of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union and the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee.