U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over phone on Wednesday to discuss regional security and economic issues, the White House said.

"They pledged to continue to work together closely toward the elimination of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs," the White House said in a written statement, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The two leaders also discussed Obama's meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in California last week, it said, adding that they "agreed on the importance of ensuring stability and pursuing dialogue as it relates to the East China Sea."

At the same time, Obama stressed that the United States "looks forward to being able to welcome Japan to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations as early as possible once current TPP members complete their domestic requirements," the statement said.

Finally, Obama and Abe "expressed the shared desire to work together closely" at the upcoming G8 Summit in Northern Ireland, the statement added. 

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