The event took place at the University of Tokyo, and aimed to foster sustainable cooperation and enhance bilateral exchanges between Korea and Japan in preparation for the upcoming 60th anniversary of the two nations normalizing diplomatic relations.

In his opening remarks, President Siwook Lee of KIEP highlighted the significance of the Korea-Japan summit held in March 2023, the first in 12 years, which not only normalized bilateral relations but laid the groundwork for the Korea-U.S.-Japan Summit in August 2023 and the Korea-China-Japan Summit in May 2024.

President Lee emphasized the pivotal role of these developments in promoting peace and stability in Northeast Asia. He stated, “I hope that the various cooperation agendas discussed at the symposium will not only strengthen future Korea-Japan relations but serve as a compass for sustainable bilateral cooperation, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan in 2025.”

The symposium featured prominent participants, including Chairperson Dong Cheon Shin of the NRC, Professor Takahiro Nakajima of the IASA at the University of Tokyo, and Chairman Hitoshi Tanaka of the Institute for International Strategy at the Japan Research Institute.

Experts from both countries, such as Professor Yang-hyun Cho of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, Professor Jiyoung Kim of Hanyang University, Dr. Gyu-Pan Kim at KIEP, Professor Eui-Suok Han of Sungshin Women's University, Professor Ryo Sahashi of the University of Tokyo, Professor Katsuto Suzuki of the University of Tokyo, Professor Arata Kuno of Asia University, and Professor Kayo Takuma of Keio University, contributed to in-depth discussions on building and strengthening sustainable bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

- Title: 2024 Korea-Japan International Symposium

- Topic: Strategies for Building Sustainable Korea-Japan Cooperation: Approaches and Areas for Collaboration

- Date & Time: Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, 09:30–18:00

- Venue: University of Tokyo, Japan

- Host: National Research Council for Economics, Humanities, and Social Sciences (NRC)

- Organizers: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo, NRC Japan Research Group

- Contact: Hyong-Kun Lee, Principal Researcher, Japan and East Asia Team (hklee@kiep.go.kr)