MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed in a telephone conversation on Tuesday the situation over North Korea with US President Donald Trump, agreeing to hinder North Korea's further missile launches, local media reported.
"We've agreed that the most important thing was that we would not allow North Korea to launch missiles. Our government will continue to work closely with the United States and South Korea, also with the international community, including China and Russia," Abe said as quoted by NHK World broadcaster.
"We will make utmost efforts to protect our citizens' lives by preparing for any possible situation. We'll maintain a high level of vigilance and our missile defense system under the strong Japan-US alliance," Abe stressed.
Earlier in August, the UN Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted Resolution 2371, which further tightens sanctions against North Korea in response to Pyongyang's recent ballistic missiles tests.
Pyongyang vowed to use any means possible to retaliate against the United States after the UNSC approved the new US-drafted sanctions. Trump, in turn, warned that if North Korea continued making threats or possible actions that they would be met with "fire and fury" from the United States. Following the statement, Pyongyang said it considered an attack near the Pacific island of Guam, where several US military bases are located.
