The leaders of Japan and South Korea will meet this week ¡ª the third time in less than three months ¡ª in a bid to cement a stable and future-oriented trajectory for the neighbors¡¯ relationship.

The meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in her hometown of Nara on Tuesday and Wednesday is widely expected to highlight ¡°shuttle diplomacy,¡± or mutual visits by their leaders, as well as the personal rapport between the conservative Takaichi and liberal Lee.

The two leaders will hold both bilateral and expanded talks, followed by a joint news conference and a working dinner on Tuesday. The following day, Takaichi and Lee will visit Horyu-ji temple, a historic cultural site.