Japan-South Korea Leaders’ Summit: 2 Nations Deepen Cooperation on Energy Security

Editorial

17:44 JST, May 20, 2026

With the Strait of Hormuz blocked, the need for both Japan and South Korea to secure crude oil and petroleum products has become urgent. Since the United States has diverted military resources to the Middle East, a power vacuum emerging in Asia cannot be overlooked.

It is necessary to leverage frequent exchanges between Japanese and South Korean leaders to overcome the common challenges facing the two countries.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Andong in South Korea and held talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. This marked the first Japan-South Korea summit since Takaichi invited Lee to her home prefecture of Nara in January. This time, as a reciprocal gesture, Lee welcomed Takaichi to his hometown of Andong.

The fact that they have visited each other’s hometowns in a short span of time could be seen as a sign that reciprocal visits between Japan and South Korea are taking root.

During the talks, the two leaders agreed to cooperate on energy procurement. A joint document released after the meeting stipulated their policy of aiming to establish a system for mutual supply in the event that either country faces a shortage of crude oil or petroleum products.

Last month, the Takaichi administration decided to establish a framework on energy supply security for Asia.

Specifically, as a means of supporting crude oil procurement from the Middle East, Japan will provide refineries in Asian countries with credit insurance that guarantees the seller receives payment through a government-affiliated agency. The aim is to ensure the smooth procurement of petroleum products, such as those needed for medical supplies, from Asia.

The administration also envisions the establishment of crude oil reserves across Asia. The latest Japan-South Korea joint document states that discussions will proceed with the intention of including South Korea in this framework.

Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia are mutually dependent, having built supply chains for various products. There is significant value in building closer ties through financial support for petroleum products, too.

South Korea and Southeast Asia have smaller oil reserves than Japan. A regional stockpiling initiative across Asia is expected to contribute to regional stability.

At the summit, the two sides also agreed to further deepen defense cooperation, following their first-ever vice-ministerial-level foreign and defense consultations held earlier this month.

North Korea, which is expanding its military cooperation with Russia, has enhanced its missile capabilities. China’s hegemonic activities in the maritime domain also pose a threat.

Despite the worsening security environment in Asia, the United States, which attacked Iran, has relocated some of its troops and weapons stationed in Japan and South Korea to the Middle East.

Security in Asia cannot be ensured unless Japan and South Korea establish a framework for defense cooperation. In addition to the smooth conduct of joint exercises, concluding an agreement to share ammunition and other supplies should also be considered.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 20, 2026)