TOKYO -Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called on South Korean President Lee Jae Myung Tuesday to help "ensure regional stability", as Beijing pressures Tokyo over its stance on Taiwan.
The two leaders met in Takaichi's picturesque home region of Nara in western Japan, days after Lee visited Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.
They agreed to strengthen cooperation on economic security, regional and global issues, as well as artificial intelligence, according to South Korea's presidential office.
Looming in the background of the meeting was Japan's heated diplomatic spat with China, triggered by Takaichi's suggestion in November that Japan could intervene militarily if China attacks Taiwan.
China, which regards Taiwan as its own territory, reacted angrily, blocking exports to Japan of "dual-use" items with potential military applications, fuelling worries in Japan that Beijing could choke supplies of much-needed rare earths.
Takaichi said she told Lee that "while advancing Japan-South Korea relations, both countries should cooperate to ensure regional stability and fulfill their respective roles".
"As the environment surrounding both of our countries becomes ever more severe, our bilateral relations, as well as the cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States, are assuming greater importance," she later told a news conference.
At the beginning of his meeting with Takaichi, Lee said that cooperation between the two US allies "is more important than ever".
"In this increasingly complex situation and within this rapidly changing international order, we must continue to make progress toward a better future," Lee added.
They agreed to continue their "shuttle diplomacy" of regular meetings, according to Takaichi, as well as work towards the complete denuclearisation of North Korea.
Lee and Takaichi, who both took office in 2025, last met in October on the sidelines of the APEC regional summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.
It is Lee's second visit to Japan since August, when he met Takaichi's predecessor Shigeru Ishiba.
By Caroline Gardin With Hiroshi Hiyama