Japan and France signed a pact on defense equipment transfers Friday at a meeting of their foreign and defense chiefs in Tokyo to strengthen bilateral ties in security.

The four ministers also agreed to begin talks on an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement that stipulates mutual provision of supplies, including food, water and fuel, as well as transportation and repair services between their militaries.

"We were able to further step up bilateral security and defense cooperation," with the concrete results of inking the pact and starting a discussion toward concluding an ACSA, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters along with other ministers after the so-called two-plus-two gathering at the ministry's Iikura Guest House.