Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu reiterated the government's objections to a recent South Korean court ruling. The decision ordered Japan to pay damages to people referred to as wartime comfort women and their relatives.

Matsuno also stressed the importance of cooperation between Japan and South Korea as tensions in the region rise.

On Thursday, the Seoul High Court handed down the ruling in a lawsuit filed by 16 plaintiffs, overturning a lower court's dismissal of the case.

Matsuno told reporters on Friday that the latest ruling is contrary to international law and agreements between Japan and South Korea. He said the government lodged a strong protest with the South Korean government.

In a statement released on Thursday, Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko said the ruling is "extremely regrettable and absolutely unacceptable."

Matsuno also noted that Japan and South Korea are important to each other as neighbors. He noted that close cooperation is more necessary than ever as North Korea repeatedly launches projectiles using ballistic missile technology.

He said the two countries should deal with pending issues properly and maintain a close dialogue. He also strongly urged the South Korean side to take appropriate measures.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said it is checking the details of the ruling. It added that the government is in a position of respecting the 2015 bilateral agreement.

The agreement confirmed that the issue involving the women had been resolved "finally and irreversibly."