Japan hosts Ishiba Lee Lee South Korea before the main Trump Summit Government news

A visit to me two days before the first first summit in Washington, DC with US President Donald Trump.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigro Eshiba, South Korean President Lee Jay Meong, hosted in Tokyo for a visit aimed at reaffirming security cooperation and presenting friendly relations between the Asian East neighbors who face common challenges from their mutual ally, the United States.

On his first official visit Japan Since he took office in June, Ishiba met on Saturday at the Prime Minister’s residence to discuss bilateral relations, including close security cooperation with the United States under a tripartite agreement signed by its predecessors.

“With the increasing intensity of the strategic environment surrounding our countries increasingly, the importance of our relations, as well as the tripartite cooperation with the United States is still growing,” Ishiba said in a joint declaration with Lee after their meeting.

Leaders agreed to resume shuttle diplomacy, expand exchanges such as work vacation programs, intensify cooperation in defense, economic security, artificial intelligence and other areas. They also pledged to coordinate more closely against nuclear and missile threats in North Korea.

President Lee Jay Meong welcomed the Republic of Korea. Japan has chosen his first bilateral visit since he took office, and this is his first visit since Canada in June. We would like to build Japan and Korea’s relations that are in line with the needs of the new era. pic.twitter.com/dvfgkvjga

Isgeruishiba August 23, 2025

A liberal Liberal victory – after conservative President Yun Suk Yol was dismissed for announcing the martial law – has raised concerns in Tokyo that the relationships with Seoul can disturb.

He criticized me previous efforts to improve tense relations through the constant discontent of the Japanese colonial rule. Last week, the South Korean government expressed “deep disappointment and remorse” after Japanese officials visited a shrine in Tokyo to the dead of the Japanese war, which many Koreans see a symbol of war in wartime in Japan.

However, in Tokyo, I reaffirmed the support of closer relationships with Japan as he did when Ishiba first met in June on the sidelines of a group of seven (G7) in Canada.

A decision to visit Tokyo before Washington has received Japanese officials well, who see it as a sign that puts great importance to the relationships between the two neighboring.

For Ishiba, who faces pressure from the right’s competitors inside his ruling party for resignation during his loss of the July elections, a successful visit to me and a successful summit can support his support.

Despite their differences, the two American allies rely heavily on Washington to counter China’s growing influence. They host together about 80,000 American soldiers, dozens of American warships and hundreds of military aircraft.

Japan and South Korea are also participating in the field of trade, as both customs tariffs agreed by 15 percent on the United States’ imports of their goods after Trump threatened more severe duties.

“We agreed that the fixed cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan is very important in the rapidly changing international situation, and we decided to create a virtuous session in which the development of relations between South Korea and Japan leads to stronger cooperation,” he said alongside Ishiba.

Two days ago, a visit to me comes with a decisive first summit in Washington with US President Donald Trump. The two men are expected to discuss security concerns, including China and North Korea and the financial contribution of torrents of the American forces stationed in South Korea – Something that the American leader has repeatedly pressured to increase.