Takaichi and Lee Jae Myung Summit 2026: Forging a Pragmatic Path in Nara
Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met in Nara on Jan 13, 2026. Explore the key takeaways on CPTPP, China relations, and security cooperation.
They shook hands in an ancient capital, but the modern challenges they face are sharper than ever. On January 13, 2026, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in the historic city of Nara, signaling a push for closer ties amid growing regional instability and a volatile global order.
Strategic Cooperation at the Takaichi Lee Jae Myung Summit 2026
The summit's agenda was dominated by trade and security. President Lee expressed a keen interest in securing Tokyo's backing for South Korea's entry into the CPTPP, a 12-member trade bloc. However, PM Takaichi hinted that such support might hinge on Seoul lifting the long-standing ban on seafood imports from Fukushima, a sensitive issue dating back to the 2011 nuclear disaster.
Cooperation between Korea and Japan is now more important than ever... as we have to move forward to a new, better future amid this complex international order.
Navigating the China-US Triangle
Both leaders are performing a delicate balancing act. Lee arrived in Japan just a week after a high-stakes visit to Beijing, where he met with Xi Jinping. Meanwhile, Takaichi is dealing with intensified friction with China over Taiwan. The shadow of Donald Trump's unpredictable diplomacy also looms large, pressuring both allies to increase defense spending and solidify their trilateral security framework.
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