The Japanese and South Korean leaders agreed to deepen cooperation between their countries before they let loose with their own surprise cultural exchange in a surprise jam session drumming to K-pop hits. The musical performance between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung followed Tuesday’s summit in Japan’s ancient capital of Nara, also Takaichi’s hometown. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pose with autographed drumsticks. “Playing the drums has been my longtime dream,” Lee said on X, thanking Takaichi’s hospitality for arranging the jam session. “Like we respected our differences and harmonised our rhythms, I hope that Korea and Japan would deepen cooperation and move closer to each other step by step,” Lee said.

Source: The Star January 15, 2026 17:28 UTC