US and Japan agree to continue cooperating, especially after recent threatening statements by North Korea North Korea said the United States was trying to drag out denuclearization talks ahead of the US presidential election WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump spoke on Saturday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe about developments related to North Korea, Iran, and trade, a White House spokesman said. “President Trump and Prime Minister Abe agreed to continue close communication and coordination, particularly in light of recent threatening statements issued by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said, referring to North Korea’s official name. The call came after North Korea said the United States was trying to drag out denuclearization talks ahead of the US presidential election next year.