Japan’s new PM strikes friendly tone, calls Korea 'key neighbor'

Newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday she hopes to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung soon, calling South Korea an important neighbor and a key partner in tackling shared global challenges. She stressed that the significance of the Japan–Korea relationship is “now greater than ever.” At her first press conference since taking office, held at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on Tuesday evening, Takaichi acknowledged that her appointment has drawn both hope and concern in South Korea. Seeking to strike a friendly tone, she said, “I really like Korean 'gim' (dried and seasoned seaweed), I use Korean cosmetics, and I watch Korean dramas,” adding that she hopes to strengthen mutual understanding through dialogue. “I want to move our ties forward in a stable, future-oriented way, building on the foundation laid by past administrations,” she said, emphasizing that close communication and steady cooperation will be priorities for her government. Takaichi also stressed the importance of three-way coordination among Japan, SoWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times