TOKYO — In a remarkable display of improving relations, Gen Nakatani, Japan’s Defense Minister, made an unprecedented visit to a South Korean warship during its port visit near Tokyo on Wednesday. This event marks a significant milestone in the defense collaboration between Japan and South Korea, particularly amid rising tensions in the East Asian region.

During his visit, Nakatani engaged with the crew aboard the ROKS Marado, a Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship, as it docked at a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force base in Yokosuka, just west of Tokyo. Addressing those present during the welcome ceremony, Nakatani emphasized the critical need for enhanced security and defense cooperation between Japan and South Korea, highlighting the severe security challenges and global issues that both countries currently face.

His remarks came shortly after North Korea conducted a series of short-range missile launches into the ocean, heightening concerns just ahead of the U.S. presidential elections. Nakatani reinforced Japan’s commitment to deepening defense relations with both South Korea and the United States as part of a broader strategy to ensure regional security.

Additionally, in recent developments, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was observed overseeing the test launch of a sophisticated intercontinental ballistic missile that is intended to reach the United States. This has only intensified the urgency for collaborative defense efforts.

While in Yokosuka, members of the South Korean fleet, comprising three warships, are expected to participate in joint training exercises alongside their Japanese colleagues. This interaction is part of a larger framework aimed at strengthening military readiness and cooperation.

Efforts to mend the historically strained relations between Japan and South Korea have been underway since early last year, particularly under pressure from the United States amid increasing regional tensions. Both nations have made strides in restoring high-level dialogues and advancing collaborations in economic and defense sectors, overcoming historical grievances linked to Japan’s occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Nakatani’s visit to the South Korean vessel highlights the significant progress made in their relations since last year, with leaders from Japan, South Korea, and the United States pledging to enhance their trilateral security cooperation and formalizing an annual summit for ongoing discussions.