Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu agreed in Tokyo Monday to bolster bilateral defense cooperation, including in cyberspace.

Abe also urged Netanyahu to resume peace negotiations with the Palestinians after nine months of U.S.-led efforts froze up last month.

"The earliest resumption of the suspended peace negotiations will benefit both parties," Abe said. "Maximum self-restraint is needed so as not to take unilateral measures including settlement activities, which would serve as an impediment to negotiations."