Abe says Japan fully behind US on pressuring North Korea

October 8, 2017 at 3:00 a.m. | Updated October 8, 2017 at 3:15 a.m.

by Associated Press

Party of Hope leader Yuriko Koike, right, speaks as Ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe listens during the party leaders' debate for the Oct. 22 lower house election in Tokyo, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. Just days before Japan’s national election campaign kicks off on Oct. 10, 2017, all eyes are on Koike, Tokyo’s populist governor, a political go-getter and a gambler. Will she jump into the race and try to unseat Prime Minister Abe? (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
Party of Hope leader Yuriko Koike, right, speaks as Ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe listens during the party leaders' debate for the Oct. 22 lower house election in Tokyo, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. Just days before Japan’s national election campaign kicks off on Oct. 10, 2017, all eyes are on Koike, Tokyo’s populist governor, a political go-getter and a gambler. Will she jump into the race and try to unseat Prime Minister Abe? (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

TOKYO (AP) - Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says his government supports the U.S. stance on pressuring North Korea over its nuclear weapons program, with all options on the table.

In a televised debate Sunday among leaders of major political parties, Abe said North Korea had failed to deliver on past promises and instead used the time to further develop its technology.

Abe said: "We cannot afford being deceived by them again."

He did not specifically comment on a tweet about North Korea by U.S. President Donald Trump saying that after 25 years of negotiations "only one thing will work."

Abe said his government supports the U.S. stance that all options are on the table.

Concerns over North Korea are a top issue in a parliamentary election scheduled for Oct. 22.

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