Kishida calls South Korea, Japan Indo-Pacific partners

Former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed the 31st Nikkei Forum in Tokyo on June 9, stating that South Korea and Japan have evolved into partners capable of fostering growth and maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region. Speaking at a special session titled 'multi-layered economic cooperation supporting a solid South Korea-Japan relationship,' Kishida acknowledged strained relations when he took office in 2021, including difficulties in arranging summit meetings. Kishida credited informal dialogues and sustained communication with South Korean officials for thawing bilateral tensions, leading to 12 in-person summit meetings during his tenure. He noted progress on contentious issues, including wartime labor disputes, the Sado mine’s UNESCO listing, and Japan’s Fukushima treated water release, attributing advancements to built trust between leaders. Economic cooperation expanded through initiatives like the South Korea-Japan Future Partnership Fund, co-led by Keidanren and the Federation of Korean Industries. Kishida stressed trilateral cooperation with the U.S., citing the Camp David summit as a catalyst for strengthened security and economic ties. He urged further support for business exchanges, including youth programs and joint industrial projects. Supply chain resilience emerged as a priority, with both nations agreeing in March to collaborate on critical minerals and disaster preparedness via a memorandum. Energy cooperation was also highlighted, given their shared supply structures and regional interdependence. Kishida referenced the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), launched during his term, and South Korea’s participation in the April AZEC Plus summit to bolster Asian energy supply chains.