BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Japanese and Russian Foreign and Defense Ministers have met for the first time to discuss bilateral security cooperation in Tokyo. The two sides agreed to step up cooperation. They say their defense ties are geared toward peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and will not affect existing alliances.

Japan’s and Russia’s foreign and defense ministers met in Tokyo for the first time in so-called "two-plus-two" meeting. A meeting set by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral in April.

The ministers agreed Russia’s navy and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force would take part in a joint anti-piracy and anti-terrorism training, enhancing the disaster search and rescue training that the two nations have been conducting since 1998.

"Ministers and Japanese representatives, we will be participating in a very important event today. I believe this event today indicates a new stage in the relationship between Russia and Japan," said Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister.

Analysts say it is a significant development since Japan and Russia have not singed a peace treaty since the end of Second World War due to territorial dispute. Recently Japan and Russia held four bilateral summit meetings in the last six months. While no such meetings were held with China or South Korea, with which Japan has separate territorial disputes.

Some asked if this defense cooperation would effect Japan’s alliance with the US. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu expressed concerns over the placement of US missile defense elements in Japan.

"Japan will always have the US-Japan alliance as the foundation of its foreign policy. However, Japan and Russia are key players in the East Asia region, and deepening security cooperation between the two countries will contribute to regional peace and stability," said Fumio Kishida, Japanese Foreign Minister.

"The 2+2 meeting format is not a format that would cause problems for the Japan US relationship. At the same time, we hope that the Japan US relationship would not cause problems for cooperative relationships with Russia," said Sergei Lavrov.

Experts say this progress is important for Shinzo Abe, as the previous government left diplomatic friction with the three neighboring countries as well as the US. He has re-established firm alliance with the US and defense cooperation with Russia. But question still remains on how Abe would re-establish with China and South Korea.

(Source: CNTV.cn)