North Korea's provocations have entered a "new stage of threat," Yachi told Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi at a meeting in Kanagawa Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo.

Yachi sought Beijing's cooperation in having Pyongyang exercise restraint and imposing UN sanctions on North Korea.

The talks came after North Korea conducted its ninth ballistic missile test this year earlier on Monday.

Yachi and Yang agreed that Tokyo and Beijing will further boost their close cooperation, including at the United Nations, on a response to North Korea's provocations.

The two sides also confirmed that Japan and China will make further efforts to improve their bilateral relations.

Japan is ready to enhance dialogue with China at various levels, including between their leaders, Yachi said.

Yachi and Yang apparently discussed the possibility of holding a bilateral summit on the sidelines of a Group of 20 meeting in Germany in July, and a trilateral meeting between Japanese, Chinese and South Korean leaders this year.

Yachi and Yang also exchanged views on the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. (Jiji Press)