Japan PM to visit Lee’s hometown in reciprocal trip

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, from May 19-20 at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung, Cheong Wa Dae announced Friday, in what marks the first reciprocal hometown visits between the leaders of Korea and Japan. The trip comes four months after Lee visited Nara, Japan — Takaichi’s hometown — in January. Takaichi’s visit to Andong, Lee’s hometown, is being seen as a symbolic gesture reflecting the growing personal rapport between the two leaders and the strengthening of Korea-Japan bilateral ties. During the two-day visit, the two leaders are scheduled to hold both small-group and expanded summit talks on May 19, followed by a joint press announcement and an official dinner. They are also expected to take part in separate friendship and cultural programs together. "At the summit, the two leaders will engage in broad discussions on the future direction of Korea-Japan relations and seek to strengthen practical cooperation in areas directly affecting the livelihoods of the two countries’ citizens, including the economy, so

Original source: Korea Times