Japanese PM Abe sees tougher US stance towards North Korea

[TOKYO] The US stance towards North Korea, which on Sunday test fired a ballistic missile, is likely to become tougher than before, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday.

"I believe that the stance of the United States towards North Korea will become much tougher, that is clear," Mr Abe said on a NHK public broadcasting news programme, after returning from meetings with US President Donald Trump in the United States.

Mr Trump said the United States remained committed to Japan's security and that it was behind Japan "100 per cent" in the aftermath of the missile launch, which occurred as Mr Abe was wrapping up his visit.

Mr Abe said he felt the administration of the former president, Barack Obama, had been quite strategic but that policy would be rethought under Mr Trump.

REUTERS