▲ President Lee Jae Myung (L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi after their joint press announcement in Nara, Japan, in this Jan. 13, 2026, file photo. (Yonhap)

Lee-Japan PM

Lee congratulates Japan's Takaichi on election victory

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Monday congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her party's victory in an election, wishing Japan to further develop under her leadership.

Lee posted the congratulatory message on social media platform X after Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds majority in the 465-member House of Representatives in snap elections held Sunday.

"I sincerely congratulate you on your election victory," Lee wrote. "I hope Japan will continue to develop further under the prime minister's leadership."

Lee said Seoul and Tokyo took the first step toward shaping the next 60 years of bilateral relations during their summit talks in Nara, Japan, in January and expressed hope to further develop bilateral ties.

"I hope the two countries will broaden and deepen relations based on trust and friendship," Lee said, adding that he looked forward to welcoming Takaichi to South Korea through the next round of shuttle diplomacy in the near future.

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