During a recent meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Mongolian counterpart Norov Altankhuyag on September 13, both the leaders agreed to promote political, economic and security cooperation between the two countries. Under the joint action plan that was signed between the two sides, it was agreed that the bilateral cooperation would continue though 2017. The action plan called on Tokyo and Ulan Bator to hold regular dialogue between foreign and defense officials of the two countries and to hold policy talks with Washington at an early date. 1

• 1. “Japanese, Mongolian leaders vow to promote ties”, The Yomiuri Daily, September 15, 2013, at http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000596356