During their summit in Nara, Takaichi's hometown and Japan's ancient capital during the early imperial era, the two leaders stressed the strategic importance of bilateral relations and agreed to pursue a forward-looking relationship.
Expressing delight at hosting the new year's first summit in her hometown as part of shuttle diplomacy between the two countries, Takaichi said Japan and South Korea should strengthen their relationship by "doing their part" while working together for regional stability.
She added that last year's 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the neighboring countries showed the resilience of their relationship, and expressed hope to strengthen it further to "begin another 60 years."
"Holding the summit in Japan's historic city of Nara is especially meaningful, as the area has long served as a hub of cultural exchange," Lee replied. "At a time when cooperation is more important than ever to navigate a turbulent international order, it is even more meaningful."
Lee also stressed that the three Northeast Asian countries - South Korea, China, and Japan - should "find common ground and communicate and cooperate as much as possible," in what appeared to be a reference to rising tensions between China and Japan following Takaichi's comments late last year, shortly after taking office, suggesting that Japan might intervene in a Taiwan contingency.
South Korea and Japan also agreed to hold working-level meetings to identify the victims of an undersea coal mine in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, which collapsed in a catastrophic flooding disaster in 1942, killing 183 people, including 136 forced Korean laborers, whose remains were never recovered after the mine's tunnel was sealed.
Lee described the progress as a "small but meaningful step forward" on historical issues.
On Wednesday, Lee is scheduled to meet with South Korean expatriates before returning home.
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