Japan-South Korea Summit Boosts Cooperation

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held a summit in Nara, Japan, on Tuesday, agreeing to deepen bilateral cooperation on security, economic issues and historical matters amid rising regional tensions. The meeting, the second in-person encounter between the leaders since Takaichi took office in October, also featured an impromptu drumming session that symbolized their warming ties.

The two leaders discussed a range of topics during the 90-minute talks, focusing on strengthening economic security through collaboration on supply chains, artificial intelligence, intellectual property and critical minerals. They reaffirmed their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and close coordination with the United States on North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Takaichi highlighted the growing importance of Japan-South Korea relations and trilateral cooperation with the United States in maintaining regional stability. Lee emphasized the need for dialogue among South Korea, China and Japan to find common ground in Northeast Asia.

On historical issues, the leaders announced progress toward joint identification of remains from...