Japan, China agree to defense exchanges

Japan and China have agreed to conduct joint exercises and expand their exchanges on defenses issues, the defense ministers from the two countries said on Friday in Tokyo.

China's Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and his Japanese counterpart, Toshimi Kitazawa, met for about two hours on Friday and agreed on a range of exchanges to deepen their ties and improve communication.

They also agreed to conduct joint exercises "at an appropriate time" to prepare for natural disaster relief and at-sea rescues.