Talks are underway regarding a potential summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during Lee’s two‑day visit to Japan next month.

The presidential office said Monday that the meeting could take place in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi’s hometown, in mid‑January.

The two leaders first met on the sidelines of the Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju in October. Lee proposed holding their next talks in Nara as part of summit diplomacy, and Takaichi responded positively.

Lee also plans to visit China next month. At a press conference with foreign media last week, he said he hopes to hold broad discussions on bilateral cooperation with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the near future.

The planned visits underscore the administration’s push for balanced diplomacy with Beijing and Tokyo.