Tokyo and Seoul on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of postwar diplomatic ties, with the leaders of both countries attending ceremonies held in their respective nations.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would strive to create a new era for the bilateral relationship, reflecting on the past 50 years since the normalization of relations.
"Let's build a new era for both of our countries, hand in hand reflecting on the past 50 years of friendship, history of development and looking to the coming 50 years," Abe told a packed crowd at a Tokyo hotel during an anniversary event organized by the South Korean Embassy.