Korea and Japan business leaders pledge closer cooperation on supply chains, energy and future industries

Business leaders from South Korea and Japan are seeking practical areas of cooperation, focusing on supply chains, energy security and industries they believe can benefit from closer ties.

The two countries’ chambers of commerce adopted a joint statement at their leaders’ meeting in Sendai. They supported government efforts to cooperate on critical-mineral supply chains and agreed to help expand mineral stockpiles and stabilize energy supplies.

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Korea and Japan are in a situation where we complement rather than compete with each other in industrial structures, markets and technology.

The groups also pledged to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and clean energy. They plan to pursue environmental and green-sector innovation around next year’s international horticultural exhibition in Yokohama.

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Becoming partners that expand each other’s markets is a realistic choice for both countries.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who heads the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the two economies were complementary in their industrial structures, markets and technologies rather than simply competing. “Becoming partners that expand each other’s markets is a realistic choice for both countries,” he said.

Japanese chamber chairman Ken Kobayashi said his organization would support new initiatives in future industries, including AI, semiconductors and clean energy. The meeting began in 1985 and was held for the 15th time this year. Sixteen Korean business representatives and 12 from Japan attended, and the next meeting is scheduled for Incheon.

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We will support new initiatives in future industries, including deepening cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and clean energy.