South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo on August 23–24, a strategic move to strengthen bilateral ties ahead of a pivotal summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on August 25. The visit, announced by presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, aims to deepen personal connections between Lee and Ishiba while reinforcing trilateral cooperation with the U.S. to promote “regional peace and stability,” particularly in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

The Tokyo meeting follows recent trade deals that shielded South Korea and Japan from Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs, reducing reciprocal duties to 15% in exchange for significant U.S. investments. These agreements reflect a pragmatic response to Trump’s push to reset global trade, drawing the historically strained neighbors closer as they navigate his tariff hikes and demands for allies to fund more of their own defense.

Lee and Ishiba’s prior meeting at the G7 summit in Canada in June set the stage for a “future-oriented” relationship, focusing on trade and countering North Korean aggression. Despite past tensions rooted in Japan’s colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945, Lee, who assumed office in June after a snap election, has shifted from his earlier criticisms of Japan to a pragmatic foreign policy. This contrasts with his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, whose efforts to mend ties with Tokyo were cut short by his impeachment and imprisonment following a brief martial law declaration in December 2024.

Also Read: South Korea’s Ex-First Lady Jailed in Corruption Scandal

In Seoul, concerns are mounting that Trump’s administration may demand higher payments for U.S. troops stationed in South Korea or even reduce their presence as the U.S. pivots toward China. Lee’s talks with Ishiba will likely address these challenges, emphasizing trilateral security cooperation to counter regional threats, including North Korea’s growing military ties with Russia. The leaders are also expected to discuss economic collaboration, with South Korea recently committing $350 billion in U.S. investments and a $100 billion LNG purchase.

The Tokyo summit is a critical step for Lee, who has vowed to maintain stability in Seoul-Tokyo relations despite domestic pressures. In South Korea, calls are growing for closer collaboration with Japan to navigate Trump’s policies, while Ishiba faces his own challenges with Japan’s upcoming Upper House elections in July. Both leaders aim to leverage their alliance with the U.S. to ensure regional stability in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

Also Read: Trump's Bold Move: Will He Ditch US Troops in Korea?