Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday congratulated Yoon Suk-yeol on winning South Korea's presidential election, expressing hope for an improved bilateral relationship that continues to be strained over wartime issues.

"I intend to closely work with the new president to improve Japan-South Korea ties," Kishida told reporters, underscoring that a healthy relationship between the neighboring countries is crucial for global peace and stability.

Amid the Ukraine crisis and North Korea's repeated missile launches in recent weeks, Kishida also said trilateral cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea is important.