When the leaders of Japan and Korea join Biden at Camp David on August 18, it will cap a year of remarkable progress in improving relations.

The door to rapprochement and normalisation of Korea–Japan relations has been opened, but challenges remain.

The announcement of a plan to resolve the issue of Korean wartime forced laborers was driven by the Korean government, but can it hold?

In 2022, Korea-Japan relations seemed poised for a return to cooperation after a period of dysfunction and tension, but have not to date.

Ironically, the most immediate impact of North Korea’s relentless missile testing, has been to draw Japan and South Korea closer together.

The meeting between President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida on September 21 was notable mainly for the fact that it took place.