Japan, US top diplomats hold talks on ties

TOKYO - Japanese and US top diplomats held a telephone talks on bilateral relations and agreed to further enhance their alliance relationship, Japan's Foreign Ministry said Monday.

Talking with US new Secretary of State John Kerry late on Sunday, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said that the Japan-US alliance is a foundation of peace and stability in the Asian-Pacific region due to challenging regional security circumstances.

Both countries also agreed to work closely on a potential nuclear test of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and urged the DPRK not to carry out provocative acts, according to the ministry.

The two top diplomats also exchanged views on other regional and international affairs.