On July 10, 2025, representatives from Seoul National University and the University of Tokyo paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held discussions with Deputy Director-General Akihiro Okochi from the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau as well as Deputy Director Mai Hayano from the First Northeast Asia Division. During the meeting, they engaged in active exchanges of views on the current state of people-to-people exchange between Japan and Korea, focusing especially on the younger generation, as well as on possible cooperation in broader areas including security and regional affairs.

In particular, as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and Korea, the vital role of the CAMPUS Asia Program in providing opportunities for students of both countries to deepen mutual understanding was reaffirmed. While the number of Korean students studying in Japan has been increasing in recent years, it was pointed out that Japanese students tend to be less inclined to study abroad. It was emphasized, however, that even a short-term exchange can have a significant impact 10 or 20 years later when these young people play active roles in the international community.

The value of inter-university exchange was also highlighted through examples such as Seoul National University, where Japanese students engage in discussions on security and regional issues alongside Korean and Chinese students. Such experiences provide valuable opportunities to learn from different perspectives and are expected to form a solid foundation for future diplomacy and regional cooperation. The importance of further enhancing dialogue opportunities among the younger generation was widely shared.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its willingness to support these dialogues and exchanges, and the University of Tokyo will continue to contribute to deepening mutual understanding and building trust among the younger generation through inter-university collaboration.