The leaders of Japan and South Korea have wrapped up a summit in Seoul. The talks are part of a renewed focus on shuttle diplomacy between the two sides.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol met on Friday.
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea.
Kishida and Yoon said the milestone should serve as an opportunity to improve ties even further after significant progress over the past two years.
They also stressed the importance of ensuring that people in both countries can feel the extent to which bilateral relations have improved.
Kishida and Yoon also agreed to promote trilateral cooperation with the United States to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Kishida, who will soon step down as prime minister, told reporters that the importance of Japan-South Korea ties will never change.
He also revealed that the two sides have signed a memorandum allowing for closer cooperation during emergencies in other countries, including evacuating Japanese and South Korean nationals.
And he said they will look at ways to smoothen entry procedures for Japanese and South Korean nationals traveling between the two countries.
Kishida was asked if he and Yoon discussed pending bilateral issues over wartime labor and those referred to as comfort women.
In response, the Japanese leader did not go into detail, but he did say that they “exchanged candid opinions on matters of mutual interest.”