In a reply to Lee's message on X, formerly Twitter, late Monday night, Takaichi wrote, "I sincerely thank [Lee] for his warm congratulations."
She said Japan and South Korea as neighboring countries must cooperate as partners on various challenges facing the international community. "As affirmed during Lee's visit to Nara last month, we share a common understanding of the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship."
Takaichi then said the two countries should develop their relationship "in a forward-looking and stable manner," and added she looks forward to visiting South Korea again as part of shuttle diplomacy.
Meanwhile, the island country's first female prime minister had called the election just four months after becoming party leader in a bid to further consolidate her power.
In last Sunday's election, the ruling LDP-led coalition secured 316 of the Diet's 465 seats, up 128 from its previous 198, surpassing the two-thirds threshold of 310 needed to propose constitutional amendments.
This is the first time since its founding in 1955 that the LDP has broken its own record for the most seats in Japan's House of Representatives.
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