Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting French Prime Minister Manuel Valls agreed Monday to further boost cooperation and exchanges in research and development areas, and designated a "year of innovation" between the two countries that will start 12 months from now.

Abe said following their talks at his office in Tokyo that they agreed to strengthen economic cooperation, especially in the field of innovation.

The project they dubbed the Japan-France Innovation Year will feature a series of events, including science seminars, symposiums and technology exhibitions.