Japan-South Korea Close Ranks Amid Energy Crisis

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi before departing for South Korea to meet President Lee Jae Myung in Andong, South Korea. Photo: Kyodo News.

JAKARTA - Japan and South Korea are getting closer again. Not to reopen old wounds, but to discuss more urgent matters, namely energy supplies, essential minerals, and regional security.

Kyodo News reported on Tuesday, May 19, that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung are scheduled to meet in Andong, South Korea, on Tuesday. The two are expected to agree to strengthen cooperation to maintain a stable supply of energy resources.

The meeting was held at a time when conflicts in the Middle East disrupted global energy supply chains. Japan and South Korea are both highly dependent on crude oil imports from the region.

Concerns have been rising since the Israeli-US attack on Iran in late February. The attack left the Strait of Hormuz practically closed. This route is important because it is one of the world's crude oil shipping arteries.

For many Asian countries, disruptions like this never stop at sea. The impact can spread to energy prices, logistics costs, and industries. Therefore, Tokyo and Seoul's steps need to be read as a way to survive in the midst of a volatile energy market.

In addition to energy, Takaichi and Lee are also expected to discuss economic security. One of them is the supply chain of important minerals. These minerals are needed for many strategic industries, including batteries, electric vehicles, chips, and green technology.

Takaichi's visit to Andong lasted two days until Wednesday. This was his third summit meeting with Lee. The South Korean government stated that Takaichi would be greeted with the equivalent of a state guest.

"I hope to deepen discussions with President Lee and achieve results that are beneficial for the further development of Japan-South Korea relations," Takaichi said before leaving Tokyo, as quoted by Kyodo News.

There is a political symbol in this visit. In January, Lee met Takaichi in Nara, western Japan, Takaichi's hometown. Now Takaichi has come to Andong, Lee's hometown. According to the South Korean presidential office, this is the first time that the leaders of the two countries have visited each other's hometowns.

Japanese-South Korean relations have frozen. The trigger includes a dispute over compensation for alleged forced labor during the Japanese colonial rule on the Korean Peninsula in 1910-1945. Historical and territorial issues have also long burdened relations between the two East Asian neighbors.

However, relations began to improve from 2023. At that time, President Yoon Suk Yeol, Lee's predecessor, announced a solution to the issue of wartime forced labor. Reciprocal visits by the leaders of the two countries also resumed after being suspended since 2011.

Lee himself was known to be tough on Japan. He became president last June after Yoon was impeached over a brief declaration of martial law that sparked protests at home.

Now the count has changed. North Korea continues to develop missiles and nuclear weapons. China's military activity has also increased. Japan and South Korea have also strengthened defense cooperation, both bilaterally and with the United States.

Japanese officials said Takaichi and Lee may also have discussed Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with US President Donald Trump in Beijing last week.

Takaichi's visit to Andong is part of the tradition of reciprocal visits by Japanese and South Korean leaders that have resumed since 2023.