Japan and Israel sign defense cooperation deal

Israeli Defense Minister Benjamin Gantz and his Japanese counterpart Yasukazu Hamada on Tuesday signed an agreement to step up their defense cooperation.

The two ministers welcomed their stronger military cooperation as a move to reinforce a "free and open Indo-Pacific" vision that Japan pushes with the United States in the region, as well as to the development of the Middle East.

Both regions have the world's busiest sea lanes which are crucial to commercial shipping. Japan and Israel, both strong US allies each, will also mark the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.

Gantz told a joint news conference after holding talks with Hamada that the strengthening of their defense cooperation "will elevate the 70 years of excellent ties between our countries to the strategic level."