Japanese PM's Final Summit in South Korea to Strengthen Ties

Fumio Kishida, Japan's outgoing Prime Minister, is set to visit South Korea on September 8-9, 2024, for what is likely to be his final summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. This two-day visit comes as Kishida prepares to conclude his term, aiming to leave a positive mark on bilateral relations.

The summit, their twelfth meeting, will focus on further developing ties between Japan and South Korea, as well as strengthening cooperation on regional and global issues. This meeting underscores the ongoing efforts to improve relations between the two nations, which have historically been strained due to Japan's colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945.

Yoon Suk Yeol, who took office in 2022, has prioritized resolving historical disputes with Japan as part of a broader strategy to enhance South Korea's military alliance with the United States. This approach has led to increased military and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in response to North Korean nuclear threats.

The summit comes at a crucial time for Kishida, who announced his decision to step down following a series of local election losses earlier in 2024 and a fundraising scandal within Japan's governing party. The Liberal Democratic Party is scheduled to select a new leader on September 27, 2024, marking the end of Kishida's tenure.

Despite his impending departure, Kishida is expected to continue providing constructive advice to his successor on foreign policies and the future development of South Korea-Japan relations, leveraging his experience in this area.

This meeting highlights the importance of Japan-South Korea relations in the region. Both countries are key members of the G7 group of advanced economies and are among the world's top 10 economies by nominal GDP. Their bilateral trade exceeds $100 billion annually, emphasizing their economic interdependence.

The two nations have made significant progress in recent years, including a 2023 agreement to resolve a long-standing dispute over wartime forced labor. They have also collaborated on various technological and scientific projects, as well as environmental issues such as marine conservation.

As both countries face similar demographic challenges, including aging populations and low birth rates, cooperation becomes increasingly important. Cultural exchanges, including the popularity of K-pop in Japan and anime in South Korea, have helped improve people-to-people relations.

The summit is expected to address not only bilateral issues but also regional concerns, particularly the ongoing efforts to denuclearize North Korea. Japan and South Korea, along with the United States, form a crucial trilateral security cooperation in East Asia.

As Kishida prepares for his final summit as Prime Minister, the meeting symbolizes the continued commitment of both nations to strengthen their ties and work together on shared challenges in the region.