Korea Japan Summit 2026 Takaichi Lee: Surviving an Imperializing World Order

They once traded barbs; now they trade strategic intelligence. On January 13, 2026, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met in Nara, Japan, for their second bilateral summit. Amid accelerating geopolitical turbulence, the meeting signaled a deepening of strategic cooperation across security and technology as the international order becomes increasingly volatile.

Beyond Symbolism: The Strategic Weight of Nara

The choice of Nara was both sentimental and strategic. In Korean, 'nara' means 'country,' and the region has historically been a hub for cultural exchange with the Korean Peninsula since the 4th century. However, the discussions focused on the harsh realities of 2026. The leaders addressed how two quintessential middle powers should navigate a system defined by power and coercion rather than rules and institutions.

Navigating an Imperializing World Order

The summit occurred against the backdrop of what analysts call an "imperializing world." With U.S. President Donald Trump adopting a transactional approach and Russia challenging norms through force, Tokyo and Seoul fear marginalization. President Lee emphasized forward-looking collaboration in economic security, including supply chain resilience and safeguarding advanced technologies.

While Takaichi has been known for her nationalist credentials and Lee for past criticisms of Japan's colonial rule, both have recalibrated. Rhetoric has given way to realism. Japan, now the world's fifth-largest economy, views the partnership as indispensable for regional stability in the face of North Korea's nuclear advancements and China's hardening posture.