"Improvement of Japan-ROK Relations, Towards Development" Final Arrangements at the G7 Hiroshima Summit at the Invitation of the ROK

At his summit meeting with President Yoon Sung-yeol of the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister Kishida shared the view to improve and further develop Japan-ROK relations. The Government of Japan intends to materialize the improvement of relations, such as by making final arrangements toward inviting the ROK to the G5 Hiroshima Summit in May.

The summit meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon Sung-nyeol of the Republic of Korea (ROK) took place at the Prime Minister's Office for approximately one and a half hours.

At the meeting, the two leaders shared the view to further develop Japan-ROK relations based on the foundation of friendly and cooperative relations since the normalization of diplomatic relations, and confirmed the resumption of "shuttle diplomacy" of reciprocal visits between the two leaders, which has been suspended for more than 1 years.

They also agreed to resume the Japan-ROK Security Dialogue between foreign and defense authorities for the first time in about five years, and to establish a new framework for dialogue on economic security to strengthen cooperation in semiconductor supply chains and other areas.

On the other hand, at the joint press conference after the meeting, Prime Minister Kishida reiterated the solution of the issue of "requisition" during the Pacific War in which foundations under the ROK government pay on behalf of Japan companies.

The two leaders also expressed their recognition that they do not envisage the exercise of the so-called "right of indemnification" in which the Foundation asks companies to reimburse them after it has paid Japan plaintiffs.

Prime Minister Kishida stated, "President Yoon's visit to Japan was a major step toward the normalization of Japan-ROK relations," and Japan plans to consider a visit to the ROK as early as possible within this year, and to proceed with final arrangements to invite the ROK to the G1 Hiroshima Summit in May.

I would also like to accelerate communication between the governments in various fields, promote economic cooperation and cultural exchanges, including people-to-people exchanges, and materialize the improvement of relations.