Japan says close to deal with South Korea and U.S. on North Korea defence

A barbed wire fence decorated with South Korean national flags is pictured near the demilitarized zone which separates North and South Korea in Paju October 31, 2014. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan, the United States and South Korea are close to reaching a deal on sharing and safeguarding sensitive information on North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes, Japan's Defence Ministry said on Friday.

As Japan lies well within the range of North Korea's mid-range missiles, acquiring military intelligence on North Korea in a timely manner is vital for its security.