Prime Minister to meet Japanese leader amid North Korea tensions

Theresa May will hold talks with Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Friday amid continuing concerns about the situation on the Korean peninsula.

Downing Street would not confirm that the talks would cover tensions over North Korea's nuclear programme, but the pair are expected to discuss "global issues".

The Prime Minister will host Mr Abe at Chequers and the meeting is a "long-standing engagement" rather than a response to the crisis over North Korea's nuclear programme.

Mrs May's official spokesman said Japan was a "close ally and key trading partners and discussions are expected on a range of bilateral and global issues".

Confirmation of the meeting between the two premiers came as envoys from Japan, the US and South Korea gathered in Tokyo to discuss the crisis.