The 34th Japan-Korea Forum, co-organized by JCIE and the Korea Foundation, brought together politicians, scholars, journalists, and business representatives in Tokyo to discuss key issues facing Japan and South Korea. Building on the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two nations, which was celebrated in 2025, the Forum this year looked ahead to the next chapter of Japan-Korea relations.
Political exchanges have continued on a positive track after changes in government in both countries last year, with growing momentum toward further strengthening bilateral relations. Against this backdrop, and amid growing regional security challenges and changes in the international economic order, participants deliberated on a range of relevant topics, including economic security, technological and regional cooperation, domestic politics, and shared social challenges.
The Forum concluded with a joint statement setting out concrete areas for future cooperation. Proposals touched on expanding collaboration in fields such as digital trade and industrial technology; exchanging experiences and expertise on issues including aging populations and declining birth rates; and exploring the use of AI and other emerging technologies in addressing mutual concerns. Participants also called for continued efforts to facilitate travel and people-to-people exchanges, including by building on measures such as the Japan-Korea priority immigration lanes at airports, which were trialed for one month in 2025. The full joint statement is available in Korean and Japanese below.
Student representatives of the 12th Japan-Korea Junior Forum presented their own proposals on six areas of shared concern for the next generation, and introduced student-led initiatives using film and video to foster conversation across historical and cultural differences. Held earlier in July, eighteen undergraduate and graduate students from both countries participated in the one-day intensive Junior Forum. One participant reflected that conversations with students from the other country had made her realize that even when Japan and Korea face the same challenges, their underlying social contexts can be quite different. “Those differences are what make the dialogue so fascinating,” she said.
The 11th Japan-Korea Forum Award ceremony honored Okonogi Masao, former Japanese chairman and professor emeritus at Keio University, for his longstanding contributions to the Forum and Japan-Korea relations. The award was accepted on his behalf by Yoshihide Soeya, professor emeritus at Keio University.
This year’s Forum also included a courtesy call on Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru, as well as dinners hosted by Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Japan Lee Hyuk and Japan’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shimada Tomoaki.
