South Korean and Japanese business groups have launched a private cooperation channel to address low birth rates, population aging and economic insecurity among young people. At the first Korea-Japan Symposium on Low Birthrate Measures in Sendai on Aug. 30, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said the two countries should deepen ties toward an economic community that expands the market, links labor markets and regional economies, and uses artificial intelligence to raise productivity as their workforces shrink. Chey also serves as the Korean co-chair of the Korea-Japan Low Birthrate Countermeasures Exchange Committee, established after a December agreement between the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The 2026 Korea-Japan Youth Perception Survey, conducted by the two countries' committees, found that young South Koreans generally had stronger intentions to date, marry and have children, but faced greater employment, income and housing barriers to realizing those intentions. Among unmarried respondents, 42.4% in Japan said they never intended to marry, compared with 18.6% in South Korea. South Koreans were more likely to report having a fiance, fiancee or romantic partner, at 32.2% versus 21.4% in Japan. Earlier survey results showed that 81.4% of unmarried Korean respondents intended to marry, against 57.6% in Japan, while 76.8% of Korean respondents wanted children, compared with 50.5% in Japan. Stable employment and income, housing support and reduced child-rearing costs ranked among the main conditions for marriage and parenthood. Chey proposed three priorities: enabling young people to work and study in both countries through mutual recognition of qualifications and career experience; extending exchanges beyond tourism into regional employment, education and travel; and deploying AI and care robots to reduce social costs and increase productivity. The two chambers also plan joint research and annual symposia alternating between South Korea and Japan.