岩屋外相、韓国など３カ国歴訪　連携強化を確認へ

　岩屋毅外相は、１３日から韓国、フィリピン、パラオ３カ国を訪問する方向で調整に入った。内政の混乱が続く韓国に自ら足を運ぶことで、改善基調の日韓関係の維持・強化を国際社会にアピールする狙いがある。政府関係者が７日、明らかにした。
　韓国では趙兌烈外相と会談する予定。今年が国交正常化６０年の節目となることを踏まえ、両国間の交流事業などについて意見交換する。岩屋氏は７日の記者会見で「（訪韓が）実現すれば、両政府間で緊密な意思疎通を行いたい」と述べた。（2025/01/07-20:16）

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is planning to visit South Korea, the Philippines and Palau from Monday, it was learned Tuesday.
   In South Korea, which is undergoing political turmoil, Iwaya is expected to underscore Japan's intention to maintain and strengthen improving relations between the two Asian neighbors.
   As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Iwaya plans to exchange views with his South Korean counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, on exchange projects and other initiatives.
   "If (a trip to South Korea) is realized, I would like to engage in close intergovernmental communication," the top Japanese diplomat said at a press conference on Tuesday.
   In the Philippines, which has a territorial dispute with China, Iwaya aims to reaffirm stronger bilateral cooperation, including through Japan's official security assistance framework for providing defense equipment to like-minded countries.