Japan and Turkey have agreed to deepen economic ties and work together to support Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.

Japanese trade minister Nishimura Yasutoshi and his Turkish counterpart Omer Bolat signed a joint statement in Istanbul on Tuesday.

The statement calls for ministerial talks next year in Tokyo to discuss ways to expand bilateral trade and investment.

The two countries will also cooperate in helping Ukraine rebuild its infrastructure.

Bolat said the relations between Turkey and Japan are important and they've developed almost to the level of an alliance.

He added that Turkey wants to work with Japan in expanding cooperation in third countries.

Nishimura expressed hope that the two sides will further strengthen economic ties and cooperate in global efforts such as achieving a low-carbon society.

Officials say he explained Japan's position on the discharge of treated and diluted water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and Bolat showed support for it.