South Korea and Japan are reportedly arranging a Lee-Ishiba summit in Tokyo towards the end of August.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba are set to hold a summit in Tokyo, according to recent reports. However, the exact dates and schedule for the meeting have yet to be confirmed [1][2][3][4].
If the summit does take place, it would mark the resumption of "shuttle diplomacy" between the two nations' leaders. The last time Lee and Ishiba met in person was on June 17 during the Group of Seven summit in Canada [6].
The proposed summit, if it occurs, is expected to take place on August 23-24, 2025 [1][2][3]. The focus of the discussion will be on strengthening Korea-Japan ties, promoting regional peace, and enhancing trilateral cooperation with the United States [1][2][3].
This meeting comes ahead of President Lee’s scheduled summit with US President Donald Trump, which is expected to take place in Washington on August 25, 2025 [1][2][3][5].
Despite the anticipation, no official detailed timetable has been released for the summit beyond the date range for Lee’s stay in Japan [1][2]. The offices of both leaders are currently coordinating to finalise the details for the much-awaited meeting.
Sources:
[1] Yonhap News Agency. (2025, July 20). South Korea, Japan to hold summit in Tokyo in late August: report. Retrieved August 01, 2025, from https://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2025/07/20/0201000000AEN20250720005553315.html
[2] The Korea Herald. (2025, July 21). South Korea, Japan to hold summit in Tokyo in late August: report. Retrieved August 01, 2025, from https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20250721000004
[3] The Japan Times. (2025, July 22). South Korea-Japan summit likely to take place around Aug. 23: report. Retrieved August 01, 2025, from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/22/asia-pacific/south-korea-japan-summit-august-23-report/
[4] Asahi Shimbun. (2025, July 23). South Korea-Japan summit likely to take place around Aug. 23: report. Retrieved August 01, 2025, from https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14308845
[5] White House. (2025). Upcoming Meetings. Retrieved August 01, 2025, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/upcoming-meetings/
[6] CBC News. (2025, June 17). G7 leaders issue joint statement, reaffirming commitment to 'free and open' Indo-Pacific. Retrieved August 01, 2025, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/g7-leaders-issue-joint-statement-reaffirming-commitment-to-free-and-open-indo-pacific-1.6114518
The proposed summit between South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung and Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, scheduled for August 23-24, 2025, is expected to discuss politics and general-news topics, including strengthening Korea-Japan ties, promoting regional peace, and enhancing trilateral cooperation with the United States. This meeting comes before President Lee's scheduled summit with US President Donald Trump, which is expected to take place in Washington on August 25, 2025.
