A surprise East Asian love-in
Donald Trump has given two neighbours more reasons to get along
RELATIONS BETWEEN Japan and South Korea are not often cause for a party. But the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two neighbours on June 22nd was a festive affair. Tokyo’s political elite trekked to a jolly reception put on by the South Korean embassy. Ishiba Shigeru, Japan’s prime minister, called for the countries to “join hands”; two of his predecessors made toasts. Japanese politicians beamed at photographers while clutching South Korea’s ambassador.
Explore more
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Grin and bear it”
From the June 28th 2025 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the edition
Is Thailand heading for another coup?
The generals would be mad to try
Australia’s mushroom murderess is found guilty
The trial, with a plot stranger than detective fiction, has gripped the country
The Economist is hiring a Seoul-based researcher/reporter
We’re looking for a fluent speaker of Korean and English
Central Asia still has a complex relationship with Russia
But countries know their neighbour is a crucial partner
Welcome to North Korea’s Benidorm
The hermit kingdom’s new resort is for its own enjoyment, not foreigners’
Thailand’s prime minister has been suspended
And conservatives forces are circling her populist movement