U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have held telephone talks amid rising concerns over a sixth nuclear test in North Korea.
 
After holding consultations with the U.S. president early on Monday, Abe told reporters that he and Trump fully agreed to urge Pyongyang to avoid launching provocations.
 
Abe also told reporters he expressed appreciation for Trump showing in words and actions that all options are on the table to deal with North Korea.
 
While noting a joint drill between the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and Japanese naval ships in the Western Pacific, Abe said that Tokyo and Washington will stay vigilant and work together to deal with North Korea. 
 
The two leaders also agreed that their countries will closely cooperate in countering nuclear or missile tests or other provocations North Korea is feared to stage around the April 25th founding anniversary of its People’s Army.
 
Attention is being paid to the U.S. president’s scheduled phone conference with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. 

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