The 32nd Korea-Japan Forum was held in Tokyo on August 29–31, 2024. Looking ahead to the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea next year, the theme of this year’s meeting was “New Horizons for Japan-ROK Cooperation: Beyond Bilateral Relations.” Sessions focused on “Political and Diplomatic Cooperation between Japan and Korea,” “Innovations in Japan-Korea Economic Cooperation,” “Civil Society Exchanges Supporting Japan-Korea Relations,” “Dialogue with the Junior Forum,” and “Toward the 60th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations.” Candid and substantive discussions were held on the significance and ideal form of the new Japan-Korea relationship, and the leaders reaffirmed the common geopolitical challenges faced by Japan and South Korea, and shared the need to build a strategic partnership that is not affected by the political situation in both countries, including in the field of economic security, such as cooperation in the restructuring of supply chains.
In addition, the discussions touched on the steady progress being made in exchanges between Japan and South Korea at the level of civil society and the younger generations. While facing the past, it was pointed out that strong bonds are being formed that will help Korea and Japan build the future together, which resonated with the participants from both countries. Furthermore, participants reaffirmed that, as the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations approaches, they will work to reinforce the spirit that led to the establishment of the Korea-Japan Forum, which aims to resolve the “frustration in the hearts of the two peoples”—a frustration that cannot be overcome simply by negotiations between the governments, but requires ongoing frank dialogue between the people of the two countries.
The program also included a courtesy call by the Korean participants on Prime Minister Kishida. Participants also attended a dinner hosted by the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Japan, Park Cheol-hee, and a reception hosted by Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Masataka Okano. In addition, after the Forum, a press release was issued on the “Chairs’ Statement” (see statement below).
On August 30, the 9th Korea-Japan Forum Award ceremony was held. The award was established in 2016 to honor individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to Japan–ROK relations. This year, the award was given to the late Mr. Makoto Iokibe, who served as the third chairman of the Korea-Japan Forum on the Japan side (awarded on behalf of his son, Kaoru Iokibe, a professor at the University of Tokyo) and the Japan–Korea Economic Association’s Youth Exchange Center.
The Korea-Japan Forum also included the 10th Korea-Japan Junior Forum, held in Tokyo on August 24 and attended by 16 university and graduate students from both Japan and South Korea. The participants consisted of representatives from eight organizations engaged in Japan-Korea student exchange programs as well as international relations officers from local governments. During the forum, they shared their perspectives on the current situation, challenges, and future prospects for Japan-Korea exchange based on their own experiences, and engaged in lively discussions on what they would like to see from policymakers. Representative members shared the contents of the discussions and exchanged opinions across generations at the Korea-Japan Forum‘s “Dialogue with the Junior Forum.”
