Japan believes that the positive progress in its relations with South Korea, driven by their leaders, will continue even after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s term in office ends, its top envoy to Seoul has said.

Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Mizushima made the remarks, as Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is set to choose its new party leader in next month’s election. The winner will succeed Kishida as Japan’s new prime minister.

The Sept. 27 election is drawing attention to how committed Kishida’s successor will be to maintaining the positive momentum in improving relations with its neighbor.

“Given the current security situation surrounding Japan, Korea and the broader Asia, I believe there is no other option than continuing to advance the very close cooperation between Japan and South Korea, and among Japan, South Korea and the United States,” Mizushima said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Monday.

Source: Yonhap News Agency