(VOVworld) – The US and Japan need to cooperate with one another to avoid further deterioration in Japan-China relations.

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated this while meeting with Japan’s Foreign Minister, Koichiro Gemba during his visit to Japan on Monday. Koichiro Gemba said that Japan and China need to keep in close contact to prevent escalating the tensions. The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations in recent years and ways to boost cooperation in defense between both two countries. After Japan, the US Defense Secretary will visit China.