US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Japan, the last stop of his four-day Asian tour which has focused on tensions on the Korean peninsula.
North Korea has recently threatened attacks against South Korea and the US, sparking alarm in the region.
After meeting China's top leaders on Saturday Mr Kerry said China was "very serious" in its pledge to help resolve tensions with North Korea, its ally.
Mr Kerry has said the US will defend itself and its allies from any attack.
Speculation has been building that the North is preparing a missile launch, following reports that it has moved at least two Musudan ballistic missiles to its east coast.
Japan is within range of these rockets and has been taking precautions, including setting up batteries of US-made Patriot anti-missile systems around the capital and sending two warships to the Sea of Japan, with orders to shoot down any missiles fired towards the Japanese islands.
Mr Kerry will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and other officials.
Japan's Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said he hoped Mr Kerry's visit would send "a strong message" to North Korea's leaders.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-22141550
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