Japan has long taken a hardline stance against Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile programs. Japan has pledged to cooperate closely with South Korea and the US.

The three countries are discussing how to deal with the issue in the UN Security Council. Hillary Clinton said the trilateral meeting " takes place at a time of grave concern in Northeast Asia amid the provocative attacks from the DPRK".

She met separately with Maehara and South Korea's Kim Sung-hwan before the three gathered to discuss the DPRK issue.