After his visit to the United States, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is currently on an official trip to Tokyo, the first one made by a South Korean leader in more than three years.

"We must truly become close countries, not just geographically but also emotionally," Lee said according to the AFP.

The South Korean President addressed the people and presented his intentions on future activities, saying that no one must live in the past, because it cannot be changed and all efforts should be focused on the future.

The relations between the two countries have been stagnant for a very long time mostly because of issues stemming from Japan’s violent actions committed before and during World War Two.

Lee invited the Japanese Emperor Akihito to also come and visit South Korea. The request is going to be considered by the government.

A new era is expected to begin between the two countries and talks about a free trade deal have already started, after more than 4 years of interruption.

"Japan's advanced parts and materials companies should come to South Korea or do more to cooperate in research and development or in strategic alliances with South Korean companies. By doing so, we can both enter the global market," President Lee told the Japanese and South Korean business leaders.

The two countries are economically interdependent, being each-other’s third-biggest trading partners after the United States and China, but the plan to accept a two-way trade pact failed due to pressure in both countries to protect their farm sectors.