Japan and South Korea leaders meet in Nara to discuss economy and regional challenges.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in Nara and agreed to step up cooperation as they discussed trade and regional security.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Nara to discuss deepening cooperation between the two countries. The leaders framed the meeting as an opportunity to address trade, regional security and growing uncertainty in the international order. The summit takes place in Takaichi's hometown and includes cultural engagements meant to underscore historical ties. Both leaders described the talks as forward-looking while longstanding historical issues remain part of the background. Key points: - The leaders met in Nara and announced plans to step up cooperation amid what they described as growing regional uncertainty. - Discussions were reported to focus on trade, challenges posed by China and North Korea, and efforts to deepen mutual trust. - Lee expressed interest in Japanese backing for South Korea’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, noting that lifting import restrictions from Fukushima prefectures would be part of that process. - Both leaders spoke about security cooperation under a trilateral framework that would include the United States and emphasized the importance of trust. - Takaichi will take Lee on a tour of Horyu Temple, and Lee will meet with South Korean residents in Japan before returning home later the same day. - Media reports said the leaders may also touch on possible humanitarian cooperation related to recovering remains from a 1942 undersea mining accident that killed many Korean laborers. Summary: The meeting highlighted a shared intent to strengthen bilateral ties and address regional economic and security challenges. Scheduled cultural visits in Nara were included as part of the summit activities and Lee is due to return home afterward. Undetermined at this time are any concrete policy outcomes such as formal security agreements or decisions on trade accession.