Japan-Republic of Korea Relations

Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are most important neighbors to each other. Good relationship between Japan and the ROK is essential in ensuring the peace and prosperity in East Asia. Japan will continue to make steady efforts toward building future-oriented and multi-layered relations with the ROK in every field including politics, economy and culture from a broader perspective.

(a) Trilateral Summit between Japan, the US, and the ROK (March 25th, 2014, Hague)

On the security of East Asia, centering on the issues of North Korea, the importance of closer collaboration among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK was confirmed, and a meaningful discussion was held.

(b) Foreign Ministers' meeting (August 9th, 2014, Nay Pyi Taw)

Both ministers exchanged frank views and reaffirmed with the importance of continuing and deepening the consultations between Japan and the ROK.

Both ministers confirmed that it is important to continue the exchanges of views at various levels including the Foreign Ministers, and concurred on continuing the Director-General level consultations.

(c) Foreign Ministers' Meeting (September 26th, 2014, New York)

The meeting was held taking the opportunity of UN General Assembly. Both ministers exchanged frank views and reaffirmed the importance of continuing and deepening the consultations between Japan and the ROK.

Both ministers confirmed that it is important for both sides to make efforts so that the two countries will be able to strengthen relationship in 2015, the 50th anniversary of the normalization of relations between Japan and the ROK.

The scope of Japan-ROK economic relations has been expanding.

• (a) The ROK's trade with Japan

  Trade figures (2013)

  Exports: ¥3.53 trillion (oil products, electric machinery, metal products, machinery, chemical products)

  Imports: ¥5.46 trillion (chemical products, metal products, machinery, electric machinery, plastic & rubber)

• (b) Direct investment from Japan: $2.49 billion (2014)
• (c) Cooperation between Japanese and the ROK's companies in third countries has also been closer.

In recent years, the exchange of people of Japan and the ROK have steadily deepened and expanded their mutual understanding and interaction.

• (a) Number of people travelling between the countries per year: approx. 5.20 million (2013)
• (b) Number of Japanese in the ROK: 36,719 (October 2013)
• (c) Number of Koreans in Japan: 537,105 (June 2014)

The year of 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of the Japan-ROK relations.