S. Korea, Japan to form consultative body to jointly tackle social challenges

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hold a joint press conference at the latter’s residence in Tokyo, Japan, Saturday. Yonhap

TOKYO, Japan — South Korea and Japan have agreed to establish a working-level consultative body to address the social challenges facing both nations, such as low birthrates, their leaders said, Saturday.

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said they will also expand a working holiday program to increase exchanges between young people from both countries.

These were announced after their summit in Tokyo. Both Lee and Ishiba recognized that this was the first time since diplomatic ties were normalized in 1965 that a Korean president has chosen Japan as their first destination for a bilateral visit, saying it reflects on their commitment to future-oriented relations.

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shake hands after holding a joint press conference at the latter’s residence in Tokyo, Japan, Saturday. Yonhap

In a press briefing held after the summit at the prime minister's residence in Tokyo, Lee highlighted that the new consultative body would focus on shared social issues facing both countries, including low birthrates, aging populations and disaster safety awareness.

“Both countries recognize the need for joint responses in these areas and will seek solutions together through the establishment of the new working-level mechanism,” Lee said.

On the economic front, the two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in advanced technologies, particularly in the areas of hydrogen energy and artificial intelligence (AI).

They also pledged to enhance youth exchanges through an expansion of the working holiday program to allow people between the ages of 18 to 25 to participate twice, rather than the current practice of granting the visa only once.

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shake hands after holding a joint press conference at the latter’s residence in Tokyo, Japan, Saturday. Yonhap

Regarding North Korea, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to lasting peace and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

“In a rapidly changing international environment, we shared our common understanding that unwavering trilateral cooperation among Korea, Japan and the United States is more important than ever,” Lee underscored.

Ishiba noted that the two countries will deepen their security partnership, saying, "We also discussed responses to North Korean missile threats and reaffirmed close trilateral coordination among Japan, South Korea and the United States."

The prime minister emphasized the importance of solidarity between the peoples of both countries.

“Hand in hand, as the slogan for the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan relations suggests, our citizens can work together for a better future.”

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attend an expanded Korea-Japan summit at the prime minister’s residence in Tokyo, Japan, Saturday. Yonhap

Both leaders expressed their intention to continue “shuttle diplomacy,” a practice of frequent, flexible visits between the two countries by their leaders, focusing on practical dialogue rather than formalities.

The leaders stressed that South Korea and Japan are inseparable partners, with Lee noting, “Since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965, our countries have shared a close and indispensable relationship. We aim to cooperate in ways that benefit both sides across social, cultural and economic spheres, guided by practical diplomacy focused on national interests and future-oriented, mutually beneficial cooperation.”

The joint statement based on this round of agreements represents the first time in 17 years that the two nations have issued such a declaration after a bilateral summit.

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung, second from left, sit next to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his wife, Yoshiko Ishiba, during their meeting at the prime minister’s residence in Tokyo, Japan, Saturday. Joint Press Corps

Earlier in the day, during the summit, Lee described the Korea-Japan relationship as “like neighbors sharing the same backyard.”

“Respect the good aspects, adjust the unnecessary and cooperate to achieve what is needed — this is the ideal relationship between neighboring countries,” Lee said, emphasizing his commitment to chart a new path in bilateral ties.

The president further noted, “Given that Korea and Japan share similar values, order, and systems, there is no time more important than now to strengthen our cooperative relationship.”

He pointed out that while some issues may be difficult to resolve, the two nations should cooperate on areas where possible, signaling a distinction between historical disputes and collaboration on economic, security and other practical matters.

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, second from right, attend an expanded Korea-Japan summit at the prime minister’s residence in Tokyo, Japan, Saturday. Yonhap

Ishiba, in turn, said stable Korea-Japan relations would benefit not only the two countries but the broader Asia-Pacific region.

“If you don’t make active efforts, you won’t achieve peace and stability, especially in times of turbulence,” Ishiba said.

Saturday’s summit marks the second meeting between the two leaders, coming 67 days after their first encounter at the G7 Summit in Calgary, Canada, on June 17.