The chiefs of unions, business groups and the labor ministries of Japan and South Korea gathered Thursday in Tokyo to discuss labor policies, including measures to develop workers' information technology skills.

The visiting South Korean delegation was led by Bang Yong Suk, minister of labor; Lee Nam Soon, president of the Federation of Korea Trade Unions; and Kim Chang Sung, chairman of the Korea Employers' Federation.

Japan was represented by Chikara Sakaguchi, minister of health, welfare and labor; Kiyoshi Sasamori, president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo); and Hiroshi Okuda, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren).

"We expect to realize closer cooperation through this meeting," Sakaguchi told the gathering at the outset.

Bang was quoted as saying, "The exchange between the two countries has been deepened by the cohosting of the World Cup soccer finals, and this meeting is also meaningful."

The two sides compared notes on measures to develop occupational skills in the IT area in reference to the widespread use in South Korea of computers and other IT devices at offices and schools, Japanese officials said.

They also addressed how to promote the employment of seniors, a common issue for both countries, the officials said.