Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the opening ceremony of the joint general meeting of the Japan-Korea and Korea-Japan Cooperation Committees held in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"I would like to extend my congratulations to the Japan-Korea and Korea-Japan Cooperation Committees on their commemorative 50th joint general meeting today. Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are the most important neighboring countries to one another. Ever since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965, the two countries have overcome various challenges and have strengthened their relationship.
Japan and the ROK must continue to cooperate hand-in-hand for the further enhancement of their bilateral relationship. It is strategically imperative, especially in light of the situation in East Asia, that there is close cooperation between Japan and the ROK, who are both allies of the United States, as well as close cooperation between Japan, the ROK, and the United States. Japan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the ROK from a broad perspective and build a multilayered and future-oriented bilateral relationship. My grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, served as the first Chair of the Japan-Korea Cooperation Committee (JKCC), and over the course of half a century, the Japan-Korea and Korea-Japan Cooperation Committees have fulfilled a significant role in the promotion of the bilateral relationship.
It goes without saying that the long history of the evolution of the Japan-ROK cooperative relationship following the normalization of diplomatic relations has played a crucial role for both Japan and the ROK as they exist today.  
Two-way travel as well as economic interaction between Japan and the ROK have increased to unprecedented levels. Two years from now, in 2015, Japan and the ROK will mark a major milestone as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. I am determined to work to further enhance the bilateral relationship in a wide range of areas, which is founded on the bilateral cooperative relationship that has developed with the support of many people, including everyone in attendance today.
Deputy Prime Minister Aso has been appointed as the new Chair of the JKCC. I hope this appointment will serve as an opportunity for the further development of the Japan-Korea and Korea-Japan Cooperation Committees."