TOKYO (REUTERS) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told China's top diplomat on Wednesday (May 31) that he would like to work with China to try to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.

"To resolve this problem peacefully, we would like to work with China, which has strong influence (over North Korea)," Abe said at the outset of a meeting with Yang Jiechi.

In return, Yang told Abe that he hoped all parties play a constructive role in resolving the issue.

(This story is developing.)