Press Conference by Prime Minister Kishida regarding His Upcoming Visit to the Republic of Korea

(On Prime Minister Kishida's aims as he engages in shuttle diplomacy and how he will pass down to the next administration the Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) bilateral relationship that has been forged until now; on what kinds of views Prime Minister Kishida plans to express to President Yoon in the leadup to the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-ROK relations in 2025) 

From today I will visit the ROK and hold a summit meeting with President Yoon. I believe that the leaders of our two countries engaging in candid exchanges of views through frequent mutual visits without being bound by formality is the way Japan-ROK relations ought to be. With regard to summit-level diplomacy, I consider it imperative to thoroughly implement shuttle diplomacy in which we engage in close communication repeatedly over time. 

When we consider the strategic environment surrounding Japan, we see cooperation between Japan and the ROK becoming increasingly important. With regard to Japan-ROK bilateral relations that President Yoon and I have improved considerably, after we take a thoroughgoing comprehensive look at the state of our relations thus far, I intend for us to discuss our overall direction of strengthening our cooperation and our exchanges in a sustainable manner, with our sights on next year's 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-ROK relations. 

Also, as the international community becomes more deeply concerned about division and confrontation, there are many international issues regarding which Japan and the ROK can align ourselves as we cooperate in leading the international community towards greater coordination. Taking this viewpoint, I intend to have a candid exchange of views with President Yoon and confirm the overall direction for Japan-ROK bilateral relations in the future. That is all.