Hayashi and Colonna met on Thursday on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris.
"The Ministers concurred to set up a working group on economic security in the diplomatic sphere. They also concurred that they continue to promote concrete cooperation, such as the port call of the French frigate 'Lorraine' to the Port of Tokyo and joint training with the Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces," the ministry said.
In addition to security and defense, Japan's top diplomat welcomed the progress of bilateral relations in such areas as the economy, science and technology, global engagement, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, the ministry said.
The two ministers also discussed Russia sanctions and support for Ukraine, but not the potential opening of a NATO office in Tokyo, according to the ministry's statement.
Earlier in June, the Financial Times reported that French President Emmanuel Macron voiced opposition to the idea of opening NATO’s first representative office in Asia, as such a move would antagonize China.