Japan urges China to play bigger role in restraining North Korea

FILE PHOTO: Kim Jong Un reacts with Ri Pyong Chol (C in rear line) and Jang Chang Ha (R) during a test launch of ground-to-ground medium long-range ballistic rocket Hwasong-10 in this undated photo released June 23, 2016. REUTERS/KCNA/File Photo

TOKYO/BEIJING (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's top security adviser has urged China to play a bigger role in restraining North Korea's nuclear and missile development programmes, Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

National security adviser Shotaro Yachi made the remarks in a meeting near Tokyo with China's top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, on Monday, the same day that North Korea conducted the latest in a quick succession of missile tests.