WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- The United States and Japan agreed to "frequent" regular communications between the National Security Councils (NSC) of the two countries, White House said Friday.

During their meeting in Washington D.C., U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Japanese National Security Advisor Shotaro Yachi discussed the cooperative efforts to achieve denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, among others, according to a statement issued by the White House.

The NSC of the United States looks forward to close and continuing consultation with the newly established counterpart organization of Japan and its leadership to advance U.S.-Japan relations, said the statement.

Japan launched a U.S.-style NSC on Dec. 4 last year, with the purpose of improving the leadership of the prime minister's office in steering foreign and defense policies.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday also met with Yachi and discussed ways to deepen and enhance bilateral cooperation, said a statement from the Department of Defense.

Yachi's visit came after Nobuo Kishi, Japanese Senior Vice Foreign Minister, met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns in Washington Wednesday. The two officials discussed the full range of bilateral and regional issues, as well as cooperation that reflects the global nature of U.S.-Japan partnership, said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki Thursday.

Burns will begin a visit to the Republic of Korea, China and Japan Sunday, according to the State Department.