Shinzo Abe, Donald Trump discuss North Korea over phone as tensions mount

Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump on Monday discussed North Korea over the telephone amid heightened tensions surrounding the country.[caption id="attachment_3141934" align="alignleft" width="380"] File photo of Shinzo Abe. AFP[/caption]Abe described the 30 minutes talks as intensive, public broadcaster NHK reported.He expressed appreciation for Trump's words and actions.He said they agreed to strongly urge North Korea, which continues to make dangerous provocations, to show self-restraint.Abe stressed that North Korea's nuclear and missile development is a grave security threat to Japan and the international community.He referred to a joint drill involving Japanese destroyers and the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group now underway in the Western Pacific.He said his country will continue to closely work with the US to maintain a high level of vigilance against possible North Korean actions.