South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae met on Tuesday to discuss bilateral ties, the Middle East, and supply chains as both countries look to firm up energy security.
Perhaps most importantly — in light of the stubbornly snarled Strait of Hormuz — Lee and Takaichi agreed to co-operate on procuring and stockpiling crude oil and liquefied natural gas. Takaichi said this week that the “international community [was] in turmoil,” emphasizing the importance of close communication between Tokyo and Seoul.
Relations between Japan and South Korea have been on an upswing since 2023, following a prolonged chill. The two countries harbour grievances dating back decades, including Japanese soldiers’ treatment of South Korean “comfort women” and a long-running dispute over the Dokdo/Takeshima islands.
In 2025, Lee chose Japan as his first trip abroad — an unprecedented move by a South Korean leader. This was the fourth meeting in six months between Lee and Takaichi.
It appears that the rapprochement between South Korea and Japan could be long-lasting. U.S.–China strategic competition will likely persist, making co-operation between Tokyo and Seoul more attractive. Current and future energy shocks also incentivize co-operation, as both countries are heavily import-dependent for their energy needs.
Public sentiment is also heading in the right direction. A 2025 survey by the East Asia Institute found that 63.3 per cent of South Koreans had a "positive impression" of Japan — the highest rate ever recorded. An Asahi Shimbun poll uncovered similar sentiments regarding Japanese views of South Korea.
Japan and South Korea are two of Canada’s most important Indo-Pacific partners. As APF Canada noted in 2025, a trilateral mechanism for collaboration on the Arctic, defence, and critical minerals would benefit all countries.
