logo
South Korean President Lee to visit Japan for summit with Ishiba, Seoul says

South Korean President Lee to visit Japan for summit with Ishiba, Seoul says

Japan Timesa day ago
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit Japan between Aug. 23 and Aug. 24 and hold a summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Lee's office said at a briefing on Wednesday.
The leaders will discuss ways to improve regional peace and boost trilateral cooperation with Washington, Kang Yu-jung, Lee's spokesperson, told reporters. Kang did not specify the date of the summit during Lee's two-day visit.
Lee has in the past been critical of efforts by administrations in Seoul to improve ties with Tokyo, though when he met Ishiba for their first summit on the sidelines of a Group of Seven meeting in Canada in June they vowed to deepen the relationship.
Ties between the U.S. allies have often been strained, rooted in historical disputes stemming from Japan's colonial rule over the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945.
Their second summit meeting will also take place as the Asian economic powerhouses grapple with the implications of U.S. tariffs imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Lee's trip to Japan comes just ahead of his visit to the United States, where he is scheduled to hold a summit with Trump on Aug. 25.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Suntory and Ajinomoto join forces on supply chain decarbonization
Suntory and Ajinomoto join forces on supply chain decarbonization

Nikkei Asia

time2 hours ago

  • Nikkei Asia

Suntory and Ajinomoto join forces on supply chain decarbonization

A Suntory representative and a supplier discuss ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. (Suntory Holdings) SEI MATSUMOTO August 15, 2025 02:42 JST TOKYO -- Four major Japan-based food conglomerates, including Suntory Holdings and the Ajinomoto group, are teaming up to help decarbonize their thousands of suppliers in anticipation of stricter reporting standards for major corporations.

Japan plans to step up defenses against outside election interference
Japan plans to step up defenses against outside election interference

NHK

time7 hours ago

  • NHK

Japan plans to step up defenses against outside election interference

The Japanese government is considering stepping up measures to stop other countries interfering in elections through false online information or other means. The government says that in the Upper House election in July, some false information about political parties and candidates appears to have been spread by automated bots, possibly from overseas. Japan's National Security Secretariat and the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office work together to handle such threats. But some critics say Japan's system is weaker than those of Western nations. They also say the development of AI technologies is making the risk of other countries interfering in elections even greater. The government is now considering setting up a new unit in the Cabinet Secretariat to play a central role in addressing the risk and making legal arrangements. Officials are also studying advanced measures used in other countries to establish what needs to be done in Japan. Digital Transformation Minister Taira Masaaki told NHK that Japan is now a target. He said elections are the foundation of democracy, and that it is important to bolster the country's defenses to prevent foreign interference through false online information.

Japan eyes tax relief for barrier-free movie theaters
Japan eyes tax relief for barrier-free movie theaters

Japan Times

time7 hours ago

  • Japan Times

Japan eyes tax relief for barrier-free movie theaters

The Cultural Affairs Agency is considering providing tax relief to operators of movie theaters if they renovate them to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, officials said. The initiative aims to help people enjoy cultural and artistic activities regardless of their disability. The agency plans to submit this proposal as part of its tax reform requests for fiscal 2026, which starts in April next year. Currently, operators of theaters and music halls can get a one-third reduction in the fixed property and city planning taxes if they carry out barrier-free renovations that meet government standards. While the agency plans to request that cinema operators be added to the list of businesses eligible for the tax reduction, it will also ask for a two-year extension of the tax relief, which is set to expire at the end of fiscal 2025. Eligible barrier-free renovations are expected to include installing viewing spaces and restrooms for wheelchair users and widening corridors to allow wheelchair users to pass each other.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store