BEIJING - Japan and China should join hands together to deal with various challenges, said Akashi Yasushi, former undersecretary general of the United Nations, at the Beijing-Tokyo Forum on Sunday.

Yasushi said China today plays an increasingly important role in world affairs and shoulders heavy responsibilities in Asia, too.

China and Japan should cooperate in areas such as natural disasters, the economy, finance, disease control, preventing war, and safeguarding world peace.

"We should further deepen mutual understanding between China and Japan, and this will be a very meaningful cause."

Yasushi also thanked China’s assistance to Japan after the deadly earthquake in March, admitting that Japan was not transparent enough in coping with nuclear radiation after the explosion at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.