Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back Japan Visit 2026: A Tightrope Walk in Yokosuka

Can a handshake in Yokosuka thaw years of frozen defense ties? South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back is set to visit Japan from January 29-31 for talks with his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi. Government sources said Wednesday that the two nations are in the final stages of arranging the trip, which marks the first visit by a South Korean defense chief to Tokyo in nearly 18 months.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back Japan Visit Agenda

The choice of venue is telling. Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Yokosuka—the headquarters of the U.S. 7th Fleet—is a top candidate for the talks. This strategic location highlights the push for trilateral security cooperation with the U.S. in response to North Korea's escalating missile threats. The meeting follows a diplomatic breakthrough earlier this month when President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed to deepen bilateral ties during a summit in Nara.

The Shadow of the Dokdo Dispute

Despite the diplomatic momentum, tensions remain high. Cooperation stalled in November after Tokyo canceled a refueling plan for South Korean Black Eagles fighter jets. Japan cited military drills conducted by the jets near the Dokdo islets as the reason. Tokyo's persistent sovereignty claims in policy papers and textbooks continue to be a major friction point for the two neighbors.