President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba concluded the Korea-Japan summit on the 23rd and noted that "the two countries can cooperate in various fields such as society, culture, and environment in a mutually beneficial and supportive direction." The two nations agreed to expand people-to-people exchanges, including working holiday programs, as well as cooperation in the economy, security, and culture, including future industries such as hydrogen and artificial intelligence (AI). They specifically agreed to establish a 'consultative body' among authorities to jointly address common challenges faced by both countries, such as low birth rates and aging populations, concentration in the capital region, agriculture, and disaster safety.
President Lee concluded the small-group meeting and expanded summit at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo that afternoon, announcing the results of the talks jointly with the two countries. The small-group meeting, attended only by the two leaders and a few advisors, lasted about one hour from 4:55 p.m., followed by an expanded meeting that lasted about 50 minutes.
President Lee stated, "Korea and Japan are neighbors sharing the same space and important partners in responding to common challenges amid a global complex crisis." He added, "We decided to launch a consultative body among authorities to collaborate on low birth rates, aging populations, capital concentration, agriculture, disaster safety, and other shared challenges faced by both countries."
President Lee noted, "In the midst of rapidly changing international circumstances, we recognized that unwavering cooperation between Korea and Japan and between Korea, the U.S., and Japan is of utmost importance," and said, "We agreed to create a virtuous cycle in which the development of Korea-Japan relations leads to strengthened cooperation between Korea, the U.S., and Japan." He also mentioned that it has been 17 years since the two countries jointly announced the results of a summit.
Prime Minister Ishiba also said that the two countries should seek solutions to socio-economic challenges together. He remarked, "There are many common issues between our countries, including regional revitalization, low birth rates and aging populations, population decline, agriculture, and securing resilience against disasters," adding, "We agreed to establish a consultative body to share wisdom and collaborate in finding solutions."
He also welcomed the decision to expand the working holiday system between the two countries to accommodate the demands of the younger generation, noting, "I believe the potential for cooperation between the two countries is immense." Specifically, the limit on participation in the Korea-Japan working holiday program will be expanded from the previous total of one to two times.
Prime Minister Ishiba also expressed that he opposes attempts to change the status quo unilaterally through force or external pressure. He expressed gratitude for President Lee's support regarding the 'issue of abduction victims,' which the Japanese government has prioritized as its top issue. Ishiba stated, "I appreciate that President Lee has expressed support for an immediate resolution."
◇First joint agreement announcement since MB in 2008
It has been 17 years since the two leaders produced a joint document of the summit results. Former President Lee Myung-bak adopted a joint press statement between the Korea-Japan leaders during his visit to Japan in April 2008.
The two leaders shared the recognition that it is necessary to strengthen strategic communication between the two countries under the recent changes in the regional strategic environment, including the Indo-Pacific region, and the new economic and trade order, and they agreed to enhance communication at the leader and various levels, including security and economic security.
Full text of the joint press release below.
[Joint press release on the results of the Korea-Japan summit _2025.8.23. Tokyo]
President Lee Jae-myung and his party made a working visit to Japan on August 23, 2025. On the same day, President Lee held a summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Both leaders recognized that the two countries, as partners in the international community, must work together for future-oriented and mutually beneficial common interests in addressing various challenges.
The two leaders shared the view that in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations this year, they should develop the relationship between the two countries in a future-oriented and stable manner based on the foundation accumulated since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965.
Prime Minister Ishiba mentioned that he continues to inherit the stance of previous cabinets on historical recognition, including the "Joint Declaration on the New Korea-Japan Partnership for the 21st Century" adopted in 1998.
1. Strengthening exchanges and sharing strategic awareness between leaders
(1) The two leaders evaluated the early resumption of shuttle diplomacy between the two countries, as the first Korea-Japan summit was held in Canada about two weeks after President Lee Jae-myung's inauguration, and another Korea-Japan summit took place in Japan about two months later.
(2) The two leaders shared the view that it is necessary to strengthen strategic communication between the two countries under the recent changes in the regional strategic environment, including the Indo-Pacific region, and agreed to enhance communication across various levels, including security and economic security.
2. Expanding cooperation in the Mirae Industries sector and responding to common challenges
(1) The two leaders agreed that when the two countries cooperate based on each other's strengths in the economic and industrial sectors, they can produce even greater synergy, and decided to further expand cooperation in Mirae Industries sectors such as hydrogen and AI.
(2) The two leaders empathized with the necessity to jointly address social issues common to both countries, such as low birth rates and aging populations, population decline, regional revitalization, and the concentration of the population in the capital region, and agreed to launch a consultative body to share policy experiences and seek joint solutions.
3. Expanding human exchanges
(1) The two leaders agreed to strengthen the foundation of future-oriented Korea-Japan relations by providing more opportunities for Korean and Japanese youth to experience and understand each other's cultures and societies, and decided to expand the limit on participation in the Korea-Japan working holiday program from the previous total of one time to two times.
(2) The two leaders welcomed the operation of exclusive immigration checkpoints for Korea-Japan travelers conducted in June this year under the positive trend of bilateral relations. They also agreed to create a more favorable environment for exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries, including supporting various exchange projects to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan normalization.
4. Cooperation on peace on the Korean Peninsula and North Korean issues
(1) The two leaders reaffirmed their firm commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace, agreeing to continue cooperation between the two countries on North Korea policy.
(2) The two leaders confirmed the necessity to continue cooperation with the international community to ensure that the Security Council's North Korea sanctions resolutions are faithfully implemented in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Additionally, they emphasized the need to jointly address North Korea's illegal cyber activities and the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, along with the importance of peacefully resolving the North Korean nuclear and missile issues through dialogue and diplomacy.
(3) The two leaders shared the view that efforts to resolve the issue of abductions are important.
5. Strengthening regional and global cooperation
(1) The two leaders agreed that it is of utmost importance to promote unwavering Korea-Japan and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation amid rapidly changing international circumstances, and shall continue to create a virtuous cycle in which the development of Korea-Japan relations leads to strengthening cooperation between Korea, the U.S., and Japan.
(2) The two leaders reaffirmed that the two countries are important partners in addressing various challenges in the international community, and agreed to cooperate with each other for the successful hosting of the APEC Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, Korea, in October and the Korea-Japan-China Leaders' Meeting to be held in Japan.
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