Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and newly elected South Korean President Kim Dae Jung agreed during a telephone conversation Friday to meet soon, according to Japanese government officials.
Hashimoto placed the call to congratulate Kim on his victory in the presidential election the previous day; he earlier sent a congratulatory telegram.
In their brief conversation, the two leaders promised to make more mutual efforts to boost understanding and to enhance bilateral relations, the officials said. They also agreed to promote economic cooperation, and Hashimoto mentioned a bridge loan hastily decided on earlier in the day by the Bank of Japan to its South Korean counterpart, the officials said.
Kim said South Korea hopes to build a new, better relationship with Japan by solving outstanding issues. His remark is considered a reference to the troubled fishery talks and a territorial dispute over a group of islets in the Sea of Japan, known as Takeshima in Japan and Tok-do in South Korea.
Hashimoto said he hopes to build a friendship with Kim in which they are able to talk to each other in a frank manner. When Kim said he hoped Japan can cooperate with South Korea in matters brewing in North Korea, Hashimoto replied that Tokyo also wants to deal with the problems by closely consulting with Seoul.
Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi said that he will seek to further friendly relations with South Korea under the new administration. "The basic stance of South Korea toward Japan will not be changed," Obuchi said. "And I am confident the two nations will be able to deepen their friendly relations."