Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and South Korean President Kim Dae Jung will broadcast televised messages to each other's nations today, kick-starting a yearlong series of events aimed at boosting bilateral ties.
"We greet the new year of 2002 as the beginning of a historic year between Japan and South Korea," Koizumi will say in his prerecorded message. "We will cohost the World Cup soccer finals this year, and it is our first ever joint project directed to the entire world."
He will voice hope that as many South Korean people as possible will visit Japan during this special exchange year and that friendship between the two countries will be bolstered.
Japan has eased a visa requirements for South Koreans visiting Japan, with the new measure effective today.
Tokyo has extended the length of time South Koreans can stay from 15 days to 90 days per visit, and will allow visa-free visits during the World Cup period between May 31 and June 30.
Kim will state in his message that it is important that neighbors meet and communicate regularly.
"We must meet and talk thoroughly. Where there is a dialogue, there is understanding, and where there is understanding, there is cooperation," he will say.
Bilateral relations were strained last year over a series of events related to Japan's conduct before and during World War II.
Koizumi made a one-day visit to Seoul in October in a bid to fix things, and has held talks with Kim on the sidelines of international gatherings since then. This special exchange year is expected to help restore ties.
"Active people exchange and cultural exchange will lead to enhancing friendship and future oriented partnership between our two nations," Kim will say today.