▲ Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves her hand upon arrival at Daegu International Airport in South Korea on May 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
▲ Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi leaves an airplane after arrival at Daegu International Airport in South Korea on May 19, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) S Korea-Japan summit

(LEAD) Japan PM Takaichi arrives in S. Korea ahead of summit with Lee in Andong

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in last 5 paras; REPLACES photos)

SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived Tuesday at an airport in the South Korean city of Daegu for a two-day trip that will include a summit with President Lee Jae Myung in his hometown of Andong.

Lee and Takaichi are scheduled to hold talks in Andong, about 190 kilometers southeast of Seoul, later in the day, which are expected to cover a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, including North Korea and the prolonged U.S.-Iran war in the Middle East.

Takaichi's trip reciprocates Lee's visit to her hometown of Nara Prefecture in January when the two last met in person as part of the neighboring countries' ongoing "shuttle diplomacy."

An aircraft carrying Takaichi landed at Daegu International Airport at 11:53 a.m. and she emerged from the plane 10 minutes later with a bright smile, bowing and waving.

As military guards of honor welcomed her, Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina received her before an escorted vehicle took her toward a hotel in Andong, where she is scheduled hold talks with Lee.

Around 170 police officers and 40 patrol cars and motorcycles were deployed at and around the airport to ensure safety during Takaichi's arrival.

Following her summit with Lee later in the day, the two leaders will make a joint press announcement on the results of their meeting, followed by a banquet dinner and a performance.

The Japanese prime minister is scheduled to return home Wednesday morning via the Daegu airport.

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