(VOVworld) - Japan and South Korea discussed economic cooperation in high-level talks Tuesday amid a thaw in bilateral relations since a landmark deal was reached last month to help resolve a long-standing dispute over the “comfort women” procured for Japan’s wartime military brothels.

Yasumasa Nagamine, deputy minister in charge of economic affairs at Japan’s Foreign Ministry (Photo: Reuters)

Yasumasa Nagamine, deputy minister in charge of economic affairs at the Foreign Ministry, told reporters that his talks with South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Lee Tae-ho were held as bilateral relations have entered a “new era.”

During their five-hour meeting, the officials discussed South Korea’s import ban on Japanese fishery products imposed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster started. The officials also exchanged views on free trade arrangements as both Japan and South Korea are involved in negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade pact with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as China, Australia, New Zealand and India. Tuesday’s meeting was the 14th high-level economic talks between the two countries.