Abe's trip comes as news emerges of a secretive trip to Pyongyang made by CIA Director Mike Pompeo. He is the highest-ranking U-S official to visit the D-P-R-K in almost four years. Some analysts say his trip shows a summit between Trump and Kim is close to realization. Jim Spellman has more.

U.S. President Donald Trump now confirms that CIA Director Mike Pompeo did make a secret visit to Pyongyang earlier this month and met with the DPRK leader Kim Jong Un- paving the way for a meeting between Trump and Kim.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "He just left North Korea, had a great meeting with Kim Jong Un, and got along with him really well, really great. And he's that kind of a guy, he's very smart but he gets along with people."

The Washington Post reports the meeting happened at the beginning of April. Pompeo is Trump's nominee to replace Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State and is considered a trusted adviser to the president.

"There's a great chance to solve a world problem. This is not a problem for the United States, it's not a problem for Japan or any other country. It's a problem for the world." 

China supports dialogue between the U.S. and the DPRK.

HUA CHUNYING, SPOKESWOMAN CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS "China, as a close neighbor of DPRK, is committed to advancing the political solution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. China always holds an open and positive attitude towards any efforts that contribute to resolving the Peninsula issue via dialogue, consultation and other peaceful means. China is willing to play an active and constructive role in this regard."

But experts warn it will take more than a single meeting between these two leaders to end the tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

MALCOLM CHALMERS ROYAL UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE "I think the best that can be hoped for, and even this I think is unlikely, but there's a distinct possibility of some sort of interim deal which buys time, which slows the pace of a North Korean nuclear programme, to an extent that will diminish the chances of an American preventive attack."

JIM SPELLMAN WASHINGTON "Trump says the meeting with Kim will likely happen by early June and that five possible locations are under consideration. Jim Spellman, CGTN, Washington."