Top diplomats from Japan, the United States and South Korea held three-way talks on Thursday on the sidelines of the NATO foreign ministerial meeting in Belgium.



Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul are believed to have confirmed their coordinated response to North Korea.



Iwaya was visiting the Belgian capital of Brussels to attend the foreign ministers' meeting of NATO members and partners.



The three officials reportedly shared grave concerns about Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development and its deepening military cooperation with Russia.



They are also believed to have exchanged opinions on attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force while keeping China in mind.



Separately, Iwaya briefly exchanged views with Rubio.



The Japanese minister conveyed regret that US President Donald Trump announced a 24-percent reciprocal tariff on Japanese imports, and that the US additional tariffs on automobiles that took effect on Thursday apply to Japanese vehicles.



Iwaya strongly called for the new levies to be reviewed.