Tokyo: A Korea-Japan trade council has called for stronger bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including energy and supply chains, to navigate a turning point in the bilateral and global trade order, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) announced Monday. The annual Korea-Japan trade council for new industry, co-organized by KITA, the Korea-Japan Economic Association, and other entities, held its 26th meeting in Tokyo to discuss strategies to enhance bilateral cooperation and address trade and economic issues.
According to Yonhap News Agency, approximately 80 representatives from government, business, and academia participated in the meeting under the theme "Korea and Japan Moving Forward Together: NEXT STEP." KITA Vice Chairman Lee In-ho, who co-chairs the council, emphasized in his opening remarks the necessity of strengthening cooperation in areas closely tied to people's daily lives, such as energy, supply chains, and connectivity infrastructure. He expressed that such collaboration would allow Korea-Japan relations to develop into a multidimensional structure.
Co-Chairman Ukata Aso highlighted the common challenges that South Korea and Japan face in the fields of energy and supply chains. He underscored the importance of cooperation based on stable South Korea-Japan relations and the need to translate these efforts into concrete action. The key points discussed during the meeting are scheduled to be presented as major agenda items at the annual Korea-Japan Business Council, which is set to take place in Tokyo in May.