Leaders of Japan, France hold conference to discuss matters

In a press conference, leaders of Japan and France agreed to hold a discussion over bolstering naval defence ties in the Indo-Pacific region following talks.

Tokyo:Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on bolstering naval defence ties in the Indo-Pacific region following talks in Tokyo on Wednesday.

The two leaders also discussed concerns about tensions in the Middle East.

Macron said that he and Abe agreed on the need to ensure the verifiable, irreversible denuclearisation of both Iran and North Korea.

The Japanese leader noted the importance of protecting the safety of the Strait of Hormuz between Europe and Asia.

The two countries signed cooperation plans focusing on defence, economy and other global issues.

Macron will be meeting the Emperor of Japan on Thursday before he travels to attend the G20 Osaka Summit between June 28 and 29.

He said he hoped talks at the summit will help ease tensions caused by the US-China trade dispute.