Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said today (May 31) that he will cooperate closely with the United States, excluding South Korea, referring to North Korea's launch of the launch vehicle.

Abe met with reporters at the prime minister's residence and said, "We are confident that it is not a situation that affects Japan's security."

"I will continue to cooperate closely with the United States."

Abe has said he does not mention Korea as a target of solidarity, but it is interpreted as expressing his intention to exclude Korea in relation to North Korea.