Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya called on Tuesday for a renewal of a bilateral agreement for sharing defense secrets with South Korea.

The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) is renewed automatically every year unless either country informs the other of their intention to scrap the pact by the Aug. 24 deadline, or 90 days before its expiration date.

For peace and stability in Asia, Japan’s cooperation with South Korea and the United States and that among the three powers combined are “very important,” Iwaya told a news conference.

“Japan wants to work closely with South Korea to resolve issues that require cooperation,” he also said.

South Korean National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong recently mentioned a possible review to the agreement amid worsening bilateral tensions.