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South Korean President Lee Arrives in Japan, Begins Two‑Day Nara Summit with Prime Minister Takaichi

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Lee’s second Japan visit marks third meeting with Takaichi President Lee Jae Myung landed in Japan on Jan 13, traveling to Nara for a two‑day summit, his second trip to the country and third face‑to‑face encounter with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi since she took office in October [1][2][3][4]. The leaders framed the talks as shuttle diplomacy intended to sustain recent momentum in Seoul‑Tokyo relations after a series of high‑level exchanges at APEC, G20 and other forums. Lee arrived with his wife and was greeted by Japanese officials before proceeding to the summit venue.

Summit agenda covers trade, security and historical reconciliation Both sides listed the long‑standing ban on seafood imports from eight Japanese prefectures as a central issue, with Tokyo urging Seoul to lift the 2013 restriction while Lee warned that any easing would require time [1][2][3][4]. The ban ties directly to South Korea’s bid for CPTPP membership, for which Tokyo’s support is sought. Security discussions will include North Korea’s abduction issue and Lee’s offer to facilitate dialogue with Kim Jong‑un, while a two‑track approach will address wartime forced‑labor remains at the Chōsei undersea coal mine in Yamaguchi Prefecture [1][2][3][4].

Regional dynamics shape the talks as Beijing‑Tokyo tensions rise Lee emphasized that Korea‑Japan ties are as important as relations with China and reiterated Seoul’s stance of non‑intervention in cross‑strait disputes, a position echoed in his NHK interview [1][2][3][4]. The summit follows Lee’s recent state visit to China, highlighting the delicate balance Seoul seeks between its two largest neighbors. Both leaders signaled intent to cooperate on broader regional and global issues while managing the backdrop of heightened Beijing‑Tokyo friction.

Leaders schedule symbolic visits and community outreach The itinerary includes a joint visit to Hōryū‑ji, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Nara, and meetings with members of the Korean community in Japan, underscoring the cultural dimension of the partnership [1][2][3][4]. These events aim to reinforce people‑to‑people ties alongside the high‑level diplomatic agenda.

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Timeline

Dec 4, 2025 – South Korea announces that President Lee Jae‑Myung will travel to Japan in January for a summit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Nara Prefecture, marking his second visit after an August trip to Tokyo and continuing the “shuttle diplomacy” that has kept bilateral momentum since the Yoon Suk‑Yeol administration [5].

Jan 12, 2026 – In an NHK interview, Lee stresses that “Korea‑Japan ties are as important as China” and declares that Seoul will not intervene in Taiwan‑related tensions, underscoring his effort to balance relations with both Tokyo and Beijing while the summit approaches [1][2][3].

Jan 12, 2026 – Lee tells NHK that Korea and Japan are “important partners with shared values” and urges deeper cooperation across economic, cultural and security fields, noting that this will be his fifth summit with a Japanese premier since taking office in June [4].

Jan 12, 2026 – The president’s itinerary includes a two‑track diplomatic approach: while pursuing future‑oriented cooperation, he also prepares to address lingering wartime‑history disputes from Japan’s 1910‑45 colonial rule, including the recovery of remains of 136 Korean forced‑laborers killed in the 1942 Chosei undersea coal‑mine flood [3][4].

Jan 12, 2026 – Trade talks loom large as Lee signals that easing South Korea’s 2013 ban on seafood imports from eight Japanese prefectures—imposed after the Fukushima disaster—will take time, but he hopes the issue will help secure Tokyo’s backing for Seoul’s bid to join the CPTPP [1][2][3].

Jan 13, 2026 (00:55 UTC) – Lee departs Seoul for Nara, beginning a two‑day summit with Takaichi that will cover bilateral, regional and global issues, North‑Korea abduction talks, and the planned joint visit to the UNESCO‑listed Hōryū‑ji Temple [2].

Jan 13, 2026 (02:38 UTC) – Arriving in Japan, Lee is greeted with his wife by Japanese officials and reiterates that Korea‑Japan relations are as vital as ties with China, while indicating that lifting the seafood ban will be gradual and that Seoul is ready to help facilitate dialogue between Tokyo and Pyongyang on the North‑Korea abduction issue [1].

Jan 13, 2026 (02:38 UTC) – The summit’s two‑track agenda proceeds: leaders discuss expanding future‑oriented cooperation, seek Tokyo’s support for Korea’s CPTPP accession, and address historical grievances such as the Chosei mine tragedy, while also touring Hōryū‑ji and meeting the Korean community in Japan [1].

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