President Lee Jae Myung (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Oct. 30, 2025, shake hands before their summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Kim Hyelin

President Lee Jae Myung on Feb. 9 sent a congratulatory message to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) landslide victory in a snap election.

Led by the prime minister, the LDP on Feb. 9 won a party-record 316 of the 465 seats in the House of Representatives, surpassing the two-thirds majority (310) needed to propose a constitutional amendment.

"I sincerely congratulate Prime Minister Takaichi on her victory in the House of Representatives elections," President Lee said in an X post. "I hope Japan further develops under her leadership."

"Through the bilateral summit in Nara, Japan, in January, the two countries took a vigorous step forward together toward the next 60 years," he added. "I hope that both Korea and Japan continue to develop broader and deeper cooperation based on our trust and solidarity."

"I look forward to welcoming the Prime Minister in Korea in the near future through the next round of 'shuttle diplomacy.'"

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Feb. 9 via her X account thanks President Lee Jae Myung for his congratulatory message. (Screen capture from prime minister's official X account)

Prime Minister Takaichi on the same day responded to President Lee's message by expressing determination for bilateral cooperation.

She said, "Japan and Korea are important neighbors that must cooperate as partners in various tasks facing the international community. As confirmed during President Lee's visit to Nara Prefecture last month, we share a consensus on the strategic importance of bilateral ties."

"I hope to keep developing our relationship in a future-oriented and stable manner under the leadership of President Lee and myself," she added. "I hope to visit Korea in the next round of shuttle diplomacy."

kimhyelin211@korea.kr