Japan seeks China's support on North Korea

The top security adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called on Beijing to play a bigger role in reining in North Korea’s nuclear and missile development programs in talks with China’s top diplomat on Monday, the South China Morning Post reports. National security adviser Shotaro Yachi said he told State Councillor Yang Jiechi during their five hours of discussion that North Korea’s actions had reached a new level of provocation. “Japan and China need to work together to strongly urge North Korea to avoid further provocative actions and obey things like United Nations resolutions,” Yachi was quoted as telling Yang in a statement issued by the Japanese foreign ministry. Yang said China wanted to work closely with Japan over North Korea, Kyodo News reported, citing the Japanese government. Yang is due to meet with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday. Before the talks, Kishida said China has a “crucial role” to play over North Korea.