(VOVworld)-US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has urged Japan to improve relations with neighboring countries after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to a controversial war shrine.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

Hagel underscored the importance of Japan taking steps to improve relations with its neighbors, and to promote cooperation in advancing the shared goals of regional peace and stability. The comments were issued after telephone talks between Hagel and Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera.

During their conversation late Saturday, Hagel had also thanked the Japanese government for its efforts in securing approval from Okinawa's governor to move towards relocating a US Marine Corps air base on the island.