On January 11, 2026, the spotlight in East Asia shifted to Nara, Japan, as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung made his first official visit to Japan since Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae assumed office. This much-anticipated meeting, the third direct encounter between the two leaders in less than three months, has come to symbolize a thaw in South Korea-Japan relations after decades of tension, according to reports from TTXVN and other regional outlets. But this isn’t just another diplomatic handshake—behind the scenes, both countries are working to reshape their future together, with economic, political, and even cultural currents converging at a pivotal moment.
The journey that led to this meeting began in October 2025, when President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi met on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. That encounter marked Takaichi’s first official summit as Japan’s new leader, and both sides agreed to steer their relationship toward a more forward-looking trajectory. Their second meeting followed quickly at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, in November 2025, where they reaffirmed their commitment to building trust and maintaining momentum in their dialogue.
President Lee’s current trip to Japan is notable for more than just its frequency. It is his first visit to Japan since Takaichi took the helm, and it includes a stop in Nara—Takaichi’s hometown—rather than the usual diplomatic destination of Tokyo. According to TTXVN, this location was chosen at Lee’s suggestion during their Gyeongju meeting, reflecting a deepening personal rapport and mutual trust between the two leaders. The symbolism of meeting in Nara isn’t lost on observers: it’s a gesture that signals a willingness to break with protocol and embrace a more personal, genuine approach to diplomacy.
These efforts come at a time of heightened geopolitical complexity in the region. With the United States and China locked in strategic competition and North Korea’s unpredictable behavior looming in the background, both Seoul and Tokyo recognize the urgent need for cooperation. The two countries have resumed what’s known as “shuttle diplomacy,” with frequent reciprocal visits by their top leaders—a clear sign, as TTXVN notes, that both sides are trying to move past old rifts and open a new chapter in their relationship.
Yet, the road to reconciliation is far from smooth. Historical grievances and territorial disputes remain sensitive stumbling blocks. President Lee, for his part, is trying to maintain a delicate strategic balance: he’s strengthening ties with Japan while also keeping lines of communication open with China. In fact, his visit to Beijing in early 2026 underscores South Korea’s ambition to act as a regional bridge, easing tensions between Japan and China and shoring up alliances to navigate new U.S. trade protection policies.
This latest summit is not just about symbolic gestures. Both countries are set to sign concrete agreements that could reshape their economic and technological landscape. According to TTXVN, the two governments plan to coordinate on export controls and secure access to critical raw materials such as rare earth elements and hydrofluoric acid—resources vital for the semiconductor and battery supply chains. The goal? To reduce their dependence on China, especially as Beijing tightens its own export controls on these materials.
Clean energy is another area ripe for collaboration. The summit is expected to yield plans for a shared supply network of ammonia and green hydrogen, a strategic move that could help both countries reach their ambitious carbon neutrality targets by 2050. As the world races to decarbonize, these partnerships could give South Korea and Japan a competitive edge, both economically and environmentally.
But that’s not all. In a bid to foster innovation and keep pace with American tech giants, the two nations are discussing the creation of a joint fund to support startups in artificial intelligence and robotics. The hope is to nurture a robust technology ecosystem that can stand toe-to-toe with Silicon Valley heavyweights, giving both countries a stake in the next wave of global innovation.
Of course, these moves haven’t gone unnoticed at home. Public reaction in both South Korea and Japan has been mixed. In South Korea, younger generations and the business community largely support the visit, seeing it as a way to boost economic growth and create new job opportunities. But nationalist groups remain wary, fearing that President Lee’s emphasis on economic cooperation may come at the expense of addressing unresolved historical issues. Some accuse him of making too many concessions, even as he tries to balance competing priorities.
In Japan, the response is similarly nuanced. Many view Prime Minister Takaichi’s invitation to Nara as a diplomatic breakthrough, a sign of sincerity that could help heal old wounds. Yet, a segment of Japan’s conservative political establishment remains skeptical, worried that South Korea’s conciliatory gestures might be fleeting—dependent on the political winds in Seoul. They’re calling for more binding, long-term legal commitments to ensure that progress endures beyond the current administration.
Interestingly, both President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi come from non-traditional political backgrounds. Lee, who hails from a working-class family, and Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, represent a new generation of leadership in their respective countries. Many observers believe their unique perspectives and personal experiences could help the two nations finally move beyond the historical baggage that has so often derailed progress in the past.
While the summit in Nara dominated headlines, another story out of South Korea highlighted the country’s growing global influence—this time in the culinary world. According to a report from the South Korean Customs Agency, the nation’s instant noodle exports soared by 21.8% in 2025, reaching a record $1.52 billion, up from $1.24 billion in 2024. This marks the eleventh consecutive year of growth, with an average annual increase of 23% over the past five years. The humble ramyeon has found new fans worldwide, thanks in part to the Netflix animated hit “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” which features its protagonists slurping up cup noodles—proof, perhaps, that culture and commerce are often intertwined in unexpected ways.
As the leaders of South Korea and Japan look to the future, their efforts to forge closer ties—whether through high-stakes diplomacy or shared innovation—could well become a model for the rest of Northeast Asia. The challenges are real, and the history is complicated, but for now, there’s cautious optimism that a new chapter is being written—one where old wounds heal and new opportunities abound.
