Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signaled a determination to further solidify cooperation with Korea, based on deep trust between the leaders, in her first policy speech to the Diet since taking office.
According to local media including the Tokyo Shimbun on the 20th, Prime Minister Takaichi, in a speech at the plenary sessions of the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors that day, said, "I welcomed President Lee Jae-myung to Japan last month," and added, "As importance grows under the current strategic environment, we will seek to further strengthen relations through frank opinion exchange based on the trust relationship between the leaders."
Prime Minister Takaichi, who took office in Oct. last year, invited President Lee Jae-myung to her hometown of Nara Prefecture on the 13th of last month for their first summit. In response, Lee also mentioned Andong, his hometown, as the venue for the next meeting, suggesting that the leaders of both countries will take turns visiting each other's countries in "shuttle diplomacy," speeding up improvements in Japan-Korea relations.
On North Korea issues, Prime Minister Takaichi struck a hard-line yet flexible stance. Takaichi said, "I want to ensure the return of all abductees in my term," and added, "I will keep all options open, including a summit with Kim Jong-un, and work to find a breakthrough."
However, on North Korea's nuclear and missile development, she defined it as "an even more serious and urgent threat than in the past," reaffirming that it can never be tolerated. Aiming at moves by China and North Korea, Prime Minister Takaichi said, "The Takaichi Cabinet will pursue a responsible Japanese diplomacy that creates peace and prosperity."
The speech is the occasion each January when the Japanese prime minister explains the Cabinet's core operating policies at the regular Diet session, and for Prime Minister Takaichi it is her first debut stage since taking office.