Lee Jae-myung Japan-South Korea Summit 2026: A Test of Pragmatic Diplomacy
President Lee Jae-myung visited Nara for a summit with Japan's PM Takaichi in Jan 2026. Explore the shift in 'shuttle diplomacy' and the impact of China's rare earth ban.
They shook hands, but the fists remain clenched. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in Nara from January 13 to 14, 2026. This marked their fifth encounter in the eight months since Lee took office, signaling a robust revival of "shuttle diplomacy" amid sharpening regional tensions.
The Lee Jae-myung Japan-South Korea Summit 2026 and 'Omotenashi'
Tokyo spared no effort in its display of hospitality. Takaichi invited Lee to her hometown and personally greeted him outside his accommodation, a breach of standard protocol that underscored the summit's importance. The leaders agreed to transcend historical baggage, focusing instead on trilateral cooperation with the United States and future-oriented economic ties.
A pivotal outcome was Lee's expressed willingness to join the CPTPP. According to economic projections, joining the trade pact could boost South Korea's real annual GDP by 0.33% to 0.35%. With 20.8% of its trade tied to China and 15.3% to the U.S. in 2024, diversifying its portfolio via the 12-member bloc is seen as a strategic necessity.
Sino-Japanese Discord and Rare Earth Retaliation
The summit unfolded against a backdrop of deteriorating ties between Beijing and Tokyo. Following Takaichi's remarks regarding the Taiwan Strait, China retaliated by banning rare earth exports to Japan on January 6. Since Japan imports roughly 70% of its rare earths from China, this move dealt a heavy blow to its high-tech manufacturing sector.
During his visit to Beijing on January 4, Lee signed 14 MOUs with Xi Jinping. However, the absence of a joint statement highlighted China's attempt to drive a wedge between Seoul and its trilateral partners by emphasizing shared historical grievances against Japanese militarism.
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