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Japan and South Korea have agreed to resume regular visits between their leaders and take steps to resolve a trade dispute during a highly anticipated summit, in what Japan's prime minister called a "big step" to rebuilding ties between the two nations.
Key points:
The meeting between the Japanese and South Korean leaders marks the resumption of bilateral relations previously on hold for 12 years
The two countries agreed to resume defence dialogue, while also restarting trilateral communication between Japan, South Korea and China
- The meeting came after a North Korean missile launch and encounters between Japanese and Chinese vessels in disputed waters
The summit could revise the strategic map of north-east Asia. The two United States allies, who have long often been at odds over their history, are seeking to form a united front, driven by shared concerns about a restive North Korea and a more powerful China.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol both stressed the importance of improved ties as they opened Thursday's summit, hours after a North Korean missile launch and encounters between Japanese and Chinese vessels in disputed waters.
In his opening remarks, Mr Kishida said that the meeting would mark the resumption of regular visits between the leaders, which have been on hold for more than a decade.
He told a joint news conference that the countries had agreed to resume defence dialogue and vice-ministerial strategic talks, while also restarting a process of trilateral communication between Japan, South Korea and China.
"Cherry blossoms just started blooming in Tokyo this week, and after a long winter season, in terms of our bilateral relations, Japan is now able to welcome the president of South Korea for the first time in 12 years," Mr Kishida said.
Mr Yoon said Thursday's meeting had "special significance, as it shows the people of both countries that South Korea-Japan relations are off to a new beginning after being plagued by various issues".
He added that the two countries share the same democratic values and are "partners that must cooperate on security, economic issues and global agendas".
"The ever-escalating threat of North Korea's nuclear missile program poses a huge threat to peace and stability not only in East Asia but also to the [broader] international community," Mr Yoon said.
"South Korea and Japan need to work closely together and in solidarity to wisely counter the threat."
"South Korea's interests are not zero-sum with Japan's interests," Mr Yoon added, continuing that better bilateral relations would "greatly help both countries deal with their security crises".
The two leaders agreed to increase cooperation in areas such as security, economy, and people-to-people exchanges.
Washington appears to have worked intensively to bring about the summit. America's ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, said his country and its two allies had about 40 trilateral meetings and he thought cooperation in the process helped to build up trust.
Restoration of trade ties on track
Hours before the summit began, South Korean Trade Minister Lee Chang-yang said that Japan had agreed to lift export controls on South Korea following talks this week, and that South Korea would withdraw its complaint to the World Trade Organization once the curbs are removed.
Japan and South Korea have long had disputes over the 1910-1945 Japanese colonisation of the Korean Peninsula and atrocities during World War II, which included forced prostitution of "comfort women" for Japanese soldiers, and territorial disputes over a cluster of islands.
Ties reached a nadir when the South Korean Supreme Court ordered Japanese companies to pay compensation to Korean victims or bereaved relatives in 2018, and Japan imposed trade sanctions on South Korea shortly after.
The Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry said it acknowledged improvement in South Korean export controls during the talks, and as a result of Seoul's decision to drop the WTO case, Japan had decided to drop restrictions against South Korea and restore the country to the status it had before July 2019.
Japanese export controls had covered fluorinated polyamides, which are used in OLED screens for TVs and smartphones, and photoresist and hydrogen fluoride, used for making semiconductors.
Mr Lee's ministry said the countries would continue to discuss restoring each other to preferred trade status. The two countries also agreed to begin regular dialogues on economic security, according to Mr Kishida.
Tensions in region underscore meeting
The summit came as a series of dramatic events underscores what Mr Kishida called a "severe security environment."
Mr Kishida also said Japan and South Korea had agreed to resume defence dialogue and vice-ministerial strategic talks, while also restarting a process of trilateral communication between Japan, South Korea and China
Washington will welcome better Japan-South Korea ties, as feuding over historical issues has undermined a US push to reinforce its alliances in Asia.
The three countries began joint anti-submarine warfare drills on Thursday, joined by Canada and India.
North Korea launched a missile early Thursday, just before Mr Yoon departed for Tokyo.
The intercontinental ballistic missile was launched on a steep trajectory to avoid other countries' territories, and fell into open waters off Japan's northern island of Hokkaido.
It was likely intended to send a message both about the summit and the joint military exercises.
China's dispute with Japan over tiny islands in the East China Sea also heated up as both sides accused the other of violating their maritime territory on Thursday.
AP