TOKYO – The largest civilian exchange event between Korea and Japan, the Korea-Japan Festival 2025 (Han-Il Chookje Hanmadang), successfully kicked off on September 27 at Komazawa Olympic Park in Tokyo. Held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the two-day event, running until September 28, is operating under the theme, "Holding Hands, Towards a Better Future."

Key figures from both countries, who attended the opening ceremony, unanimously stressed the critical importance of grassroots exchange for the future of bilateral ties.

Akihisa Nagashima, Chief Cabinet Secretary and Secretary-General of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union, stated that the individual exchanges made at the festival "will become the foundation that sustains the future of Japan-Korea relations." He added, "Japan and Korea are important neighbors who must cooperate as partners to jointly address various challenges in the international community," affirming a commitment to further strengthening exchange and cooperation.

Takuma Miyaji, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, acknowledged the challenging periods in Korea-Japan relations, but emphasized that "through the efforts of both nations, relations have greatly developed, and cooperation and exchange have expanded across a wide range of fields." He expressed hope that the festival would serve as an opportunity for deeper understanding of each other's cultures.

Kim Jang-hyun, Minister-Counsellor at the Korean Embassy in Japan, highlighted the continuous development of the bilateral relationship over the past 60 years. "The people of both countries are moving beyond simply enjoying each other's culture to creating synergy through collaboration," he said. Kim stressed the emergence of a "virtuous cycle" where Korea and Japan inspire each other through mutual understanding, and voiced a desire for deeper exchanges among young people.

A highlight of this year's opening ceremony was the Joseon Tongsinsa Envoy's Letter Handover Ceremony, symbolizing Korea-Japan friendship. Shin Yoon-chan, the mother of Lee Su-hyun, a Korean student who tragically died in 2001 while attempting to rescue a Japanese man who had fallen onto the tracks at Tokyo's Shin-Okubo Station, participated in the ceremony.

The festival features a variety of cultural performances, quiz competitions, and hands-on experience events from both Korea and Japan. The annual event originated in 2003 in Seoul following an agreement between then-President Roh Moo-hyun of Korea and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan, who designated 2005 as the "Korea-Japan Friendship Year." Since 2009, the festival has been held annually and concurrently in both Seoul and Tokyo. The Seoul event is scheduled to take place at COEX on October 12.