U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with his Japanese counterpart Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo Sunday, with the two calling for North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

(SOUNDBITE)(Japanese) JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER FUMIO KISHIDA SAYING:

"We strongly oppose North Korea's holding any nuclear arms."

The meeting comes as North Korea prepares for the biggest holiday of the year Monday, the Day of the Sun, the birth date of state founder Kim Il-Sung.

Against this backdrop Kerry pledged support as he called for peace.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY SAYING:

"It is very simple - that the United States will do what is necessary to defend our allies, Japan, Republic of Korea and the region against these provocations. But our choice is to negotiate. Our choice is to move to the table and find a way for the region to have peace."

For weeks North Korea has threatened to attack the United States and South Korea