Tokyo:  South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung arrived in Tokyo on Friday for his first official visit to Japan since taking office in June, aiming to reinforce security and economic ties with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba before a high-stakes summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.

During his meeting with Ishiba at the prime minister’s residence, Lee emphasized reconciliation despite lingering historical sensitivities between the two nations. He reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to security cooperation under the trilateral framework with the United States, Japan, and South Korea, seen as crucial in countering regional challenges posed by China and North Korea.

Both leaders also addressed economic concerns, agreeing to cap tariffs on U.S. imports at 15 percent, a move designed to prevent harsher duties threatened by Washington. Lee additionally reaffirmed South Korea’s intention to uphold the 2015 comfort women agreement with Japan, despite past opposition within his own political party, calling it a necessary step for national interest and long-term stability.

The Tokyo visit comes just two days before Lee is scheduled to meet President Trump in Washington on August 25. Analysts see the Japan stop as a diplomatic warm-up to present a unified stance alongside Tokyo in anticipation of Trump’s unpredictability under his “America First” approach. The Washington summit is expected to focus on defense burden-sharing, industrial investment in semiconductors, shipbuilding, critical minerals, and energy, as well as strategies to strengthen deterrence against North Korea.

Meanwhile, tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high. North Korea recently denounced South Korea’s warning shots fired on August 19 and 20 at the demarcation line after North Korean troops crossed the border. Pyongyang’s General Staff condemned the incident as a provocation, further underscoring the urgency of coordinated security responses among allies.

With defense cost-sharing, trade cooperation, and regional security at the top of the agenda, Lee’s visit to Tokyo highlights a strategic effort to align with Japan and prepare for difficult negotiations in Washington that could shape the future of South Korea’s role in the U.S.-led alliance network.