A meeting in Tokyo between U.S. President Donald Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during Trump's state visit to Japan, May 27, 2019. /VCG Photo
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran were topics of discussion between U.S. President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when they spoke over the phone on Saturday, said the White House.
The two leaders talked about the developments related to Iran and the DPRK, said Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere in a series of tweets posted Saturday night.
Trump and Abe agreed to continue close communication and coordination, particularly in light of recent "threatening statements" issued by Pyongyang, the White House spokesperson said.
The two sides also discussed such bilateral issues as trade relations, Deere added.
The Abe-Trump phone call lasted about 75 minutes, according to Japan's Kyodo News Agency. Abe told reporters that he and the U.S. leader talked about what Kyodo described as a "coordinated response" towards the DPRK.
Denuclearization negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled since the second summit between the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un and Trump in Hanoi in February ended without a deal.
Pyongyang has shown frustration at the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with Trump.
The DPRK's Vice Foreign Minister Ri Thae Song warned early December that Washington would soon need to decide what kind of "Christmas gift" it will receive from Pyongyang.
U.S. special envoy for the DPRK Stephen Biegun said earlier this week that Washington would not be bound by a year-end deadline set by Pyongyang for progress in their denuclearization talks.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe give a joint press conference at the Saadabad Palace in the Iranian capital Tehran, June 12, 2019. /VCG Photo
The phone conversation also came one day after Abe's meeting with visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tokyo.
The visit, the first by an Iranian president to Japan since 2000, was seen as an attempt to resolve Iran's nuclear impasse with the United States.
The two leaders held "heavy and intensive talks" over a host of issues including the Iran nuclear deal and "the U.S. anti-Iran sanctions," according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
The Japanese leader also urged Iran to stick to the nuclear deal and constructively contribute to peace and stability in the region, while Rouhani said he hoped Japan and other countries would help contribute to efforts to keep the pact alive.
Tensions have risen in the Middle East following the United States pulling out of a 2015 international nuclear accord and slapping fresh sanctions on Iran.
(With input from Xinhua, AFP)