After their talks and joint press statements, the Japanese side arranged an unannounced cultural event during a closed-door follow-up meeting.
Wearing matching blue uniforms bearing their names and national flags, the two leaders sat side by side at a Pearl drum kit and performed an impromptu duet, playing “Golden” from the Netflix series K-Pop Demon Hunters and BTS’ global hit “Dynamite.”
Lee called the moment a personal milestone. “Today I fulfilled a lifelong dream,” he said, according to his office. “Since I was young, I wished to play the drums.” Takaichi, who is known to have played heavy-metal drums in college, guided Lee through the performance and led the session. The two leaders later exchanged drumsticks signed by each of them.
Presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-joon said the event was specially prepared by Japan to symbolize trust and rapport between the leaders, turning the informal meeting into a cultural exchange rather than an extension of negotiations.
Japan’s reception of Lee also drew attention for its warmth and protocol. Takaichi made an unscheduled appearance to greet Lee in person outside his lodging upon arrival, and Japanese authorities provided top-level security arrangements throughout the visit.
The Nara meeting marked the first time in 15 years that a South Korean president has visited a Japanese city outside Tokyo for a bilateral summit. Nara is Takaichi’s hometown and political constituency.
During formal talks, which lasted about 90 minutes, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of bilateral ties and agreed to expand future-oriented cooperation through continued “shuttle diplomacy,” including reciprocal leader-level visits. Lee also emphasized the need for trilateral cooperation among South Korea, Japan and China, as well as continued coordination among Seoul, Washington and Tokyo on regional security and North Korea.
Sensitive historical and territorial issues were discussed but not highlighted publicly. Lee described agreements on working-level cooperation — including efforts to identify remains of Korean forced laborers at a wartime coal mine site in Japan — as “small but meaningful progress.”
Lee said the two countries, which normalized diplomatic ties in 1965, should build on past reconciliation to shape the next six decades of relations. Takaichi echoed the sentiment, expressing hope that Lee’s visit would further elevate Seoul-Tokyo ties amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was edited by AJP.
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