Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to congratulate him on his election victory and to reaffirm his commitment to a denuclearised North Korea.
The top national security advisers of the United States, South Korea and Japan met at the weekend to discuss the North and the "complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", South Korea's presidential Blue House has said.
The two days of meetings could also help prepare the way for a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
"Prime Minister Abe called President Putin to congratulate him," Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
"Both leaders agreed to continue to work closely together for the denuclearisation of North Korea with preparations underway for summits between the two Koreas and between the U.S. and North Korea."
North Korea, which has made no secret of its plans to develop a missile capable of hitting the U.S. mainland, is pursuing nuclear and missile programmes in defiance of U.N. Security Council sanctions.
While leaders from other industrial nations in Europe and North America have seen relations with Russia sour, Abe has maintained cordial ties with Putin as he seeks Russia's support in dealing with North Korea and the return of islands occupied by Russia since the end of World War Two.
Putin's victory in the polls extends his rule until 2024, but Abe's public support has been pummelled by a scandal over the sale of public land to a school supported by his wife and subsequent alterations to documents relating to the deal.
