Solving N. Korean conflict by diplomacy: Japanese defense min.

TOKYO - 20 October 2017: Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera stressed on Friday the importance of solving North Korea's nuclear, missile and abductions issues with diplomacy.

Onodera said that he will discuss the North Korean issue with his US and South Korean counterparts during his upcoming visit to the Philippines, Japan's NHK news reported.

Onodera noted that the defense ministry needs to confirm cooperation with the US and South Korea to be ready for various contingencies.

He expressed hope that he would hold talks with his Chinese and Russian counterparts about North Korea.

Onodera is scheduled to travel on Sunday to the Philippines on a several-day visit to take part in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) defense ministers meeting (ADMM).