The Japanese and French defense ministers reaffirmed closer cooperation in a meeting Saturday after agreeing the previous day to hold the countries' first joint maritime defense exercises next month.During their meeting in Tokyo, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said France is a "special partner" that shares fundamental values with Japan, while French Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly said the meeting was a good opportunity to deepen discussions on defense ties.The meeting followed the fourth "two-plus-two" ministerial security talks involving the Japanese and French fo…READ FULL ARTICLE
