Japan and South Korea deepen security and economic coordination amid regional tensions

Japan and South Korea have agreed to deepen security and economic cooperation, citing rising geopolitical and trade uncertainty in East Asia.

Following a summit in Nara, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said bilateral and trilateral coordination with the United States was becoming increasingly important.

Key developments

• Focus areas include industrial supply chains, artificial intelligence, and denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

• Leaders agreed to expand cooperation against cross-border online fraud and scams.

• Both reaffirmed commitment to ongoing “shuttle diplomacy”, with a future visit to Seoul planned.

The talks followed Lee’s recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and come amid tensions between Japan and China over Taiwan and regional security.

Historical disputes related to Japan’s colonial rule of Korea remain unresolved, but both sides said improving relations is now an urgent priority.

ℹ️ Reuters

Follow on social media TikTok@tut0ughInstagram@tut0ugh Threads@tut0ugh X@tut0ugh YouTube@tut0ugh

Click to subscribe to the Weekly Brief by tut0ugh
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shakes hands with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung at the start of their summit meeting in Nara, western Japan January 13, 2026. REUTERS/Issei Kato/Pool
Ethiopia–Eritrea tensions: Getachew Reda rejects claims of imminent conflict
Japan and South Korea deepen security and economic coordination amid regional tensions
Posted in