Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his respect for the choice of the Korean people regarding the election of Lee Jae-myung as president, saying, 'I congratulate you on your inauguration.'
On the 4th, Prime Minister Ishiba met with reporters at the Prime Minister's official residence in the morning, saying, 'I want to promote exchanges between Japan and Korea, including the private sector, more actively.'
Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized, 'Both countries have many common challenges such as rapid low birth rates and aging, the concentration of the population in the metropolitan area, and foreign and security policies including alliances with the United States,' adding, 'Taking the 60th anniversary of Japan-Korea diplomatic ties as an opportunity, I want to actively facilitate cooperation between President Lee Jae-myung and Japan-Korea, and Korea-U.S.-Japan.' He also expressed his eagerness for an early summit between Japan and Korea, saying that it would be better to hold it soon.
Additionally, Prime Minister Ishiba also posted congratulatory messages in Korean and Japanese through the social media account of the Japanese embassy in Korea. He stated, 'Japan and Korea are important neighboring countries that must cooperate as partners on various issues' and added, 'We will cherish exchanges between our citizens and communicate closely between our governments.'
Japanese media noted that President Lee Jae-myung emphasized Japan-Korea cooperation during the election process and expressed optimism that a friendly relationship between Japan and Korea would continue under the new government, while also showing caution regarding past remarks related to Japan.
Yomiuri Shimbun stated regarding President Lee, 'During the election process, he defined Japan as an important cooperation partner,' yet added, 'He criticized the diplomatic policies of the previous Yoon Seok-yeol administration toward Japan as humiliating diplomacy. Therefore, there are concerns that the Korean government may shift its diplomatic direction.'
Asahi Shimbun analyzed that following the regime change in Korea, there are mixed feelings of caution and optimism regarding Japan-Korea cooperation, highlighting President Lee's criticism of both the previous Yoon administration's diplomatic stance toward Japan and the planned release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean.
Mainichi Shimbun reported that although President Lee has advocated for practical diplomacy focused on national interests, there are concerns within Japan about changing direction in Japan-Korea relations.
The Japanese government has maintained a position that values cooperation between the two countries regardless of the regime change following the impeachment political situation.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Hayashi emphasized in a regular press conference held the previous day that 'the importance of Japan-Korea relations and Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation remains unchanged.'