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Japan, South Korea to Reportedly Expand Energy Cooperation

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Japan and South Korea agreed to expand cooperation on energy supply chain and stockpiling amid persisting conflict in the Middle East, as leaders of both countries held a summit on Tuesday, according to multiple media outlets.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said the two countries agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on liquefied natural gas, and strengthen information sharing about crude oil supply and stockpiling, Nikkei Asia reported.

has reached out to the offices of the countries' leaders seeking feedback and further information.

South Korea and Japan rely on the Middle East for most of their crude imports, and have been heavily impacted by shipment restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, following the onset of US-Iran war in late February.

Ahead of the meeting, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters she was hoping the summit will result in deeper cooperation under the "severe" geopolitical conditions, according to the Washington Post.

While both countries are US allies, their relationship has long been strained by Japan's 35-year colonization of the Korean Peninsula.

The summit's official agenda reportedly focused on economic and energy cooperation, and strengthening of bilateral ties.

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