Japan and South Korea celebrate ties

TOKYO, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Japan and South Korea are marking the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties, beginning Tuesday with events in both capitols.

Both governments plan to increase friendly ties, with about 200 events scheduled as part of Japan-South Korea Friendship Year 2005.

The first half of the opening event will be held Tuesday at National Yoyogi Stadium and the second at the Imperial Hotel, both in Tokyo, featuring traditional South Korean songs and dances and a pop music concert.

Thursday, Japanese and South Korean singers will perform at a hotel in Seoul, with South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun and former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori attending, reported the Yomiuri Shimbun Tuesday.