Jamming to the same beat: Japan, S. Korea leaders signal unity amid shared challenges

SEOUL - With a surprise jam session, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Premier Sanae Takaichi struck an upbeat note on bilateral ties, signalling a shared resolve to deepen cooperation while putting aside historical baggage. 

Mr Lee was in Ms Takaichi’s home town of

Nara on Jan 13 and 14 for a summit

, their second in less than three months. The pair had

first met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting

in South Korea’s Gyeongju city in November 2025.