Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken say they will cooperate closely ahead of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's planned visit to the United States in March.

The pair held talks in Washington on Friday.

Blinken expressed sympathy to the people affected by a recent powerful earthquake in central Japan and a fatal collision at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

He also said the US government is ready to offer any assistance.

Kamikawa said the world is at a turning point, and the Japan-US alliance is more important than ever.

The pair agreed to jointly address challenges regarding China and North Korea, and they acknowledged the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Kamikawa and Blinken said they will continue supporting Ukraine in light of Russia's invasion, and maintain tough sanctions against Moscow.

They also agreed to ensure conflicts in the Middle East do not spread to other parts of the world.