Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and new South Korean President Lee Myung Bak agreed in their first meeting Monday to resume stalled reciprocal visits and promote talks for concluding a free-trade agreement in a bid to build future-oriented ties.
"I called for building a new era in Japan-South Korea relations, and the president said he shares exactly the same idea," Fukuda told reporters after the 50-minute meeting, held soon after Lee's inauguration ceremony.
Lee is expected to visit Japan in April or later, and Fukuda will pay a return visit to South Korea possibly in fall or later, Fukuda said.