New Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to bolster relations with South Korea through dialogue with President Lee Jae Myung, referring to the nation as an important neighbor.

Takaichi made the remarks while addressing the Japanese parliament for the first time on Friday, saying she also plans to cooperate more with nations with which Japan shares basic values, as well as those in the Global South.

The prime minister characterized Japan's alliance with the United States as the axis for diplomatic and security policy and said she will upgrade it by establishing trust with U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit next week.

She then touched upon multilateral security cooperation with the U.S. and South Korea, the Philippines and Australia and India.

Takaichi noted the necessity to form a constructive and stable relationship with China through dialogue, but said concerns remain regarding defense and economic security issues between the two sides.