TOKYO -- Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda met with visiting Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming in Tokyo on May 21 and agreed the two countries will promote bilateral trade to assist Japan's recovery after the March 11 quake and tsunami.

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Chen, who accompanied Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Japan, told Kaieda that China will offer "as much cooperation as possible to help Japan's reconstruction" by providing necessary supplies.

Kaieda said Japan will strive to restore production and supply chain disrupted by the disasters as soon as possible.

The two sides said they will conduct various investment and trade activities to strengthen cooperation and personnel exchange, and facilitate the smooth flow of bilateral trade so as to promote sustainable development.

The two ministers signed a document on expanding bilateral economic and trade cooperation. They also reaffirmed that free and open trade will help Japan's reconstruction efforts.