Abe underlined the graveness of the situation by comparing it to the Second World War, a conflict which was finally ended with the dropping of two atom bombs -- the precursor to today's nuclear weapons -- on Japanese cities.

"It is not an exaggeration to say the security environment surrounding Japan is at its severest since the war," he said.

"By raising pressure on North Korea together with the international community, I intend to do my utmost to solve North Korea's nuclear, missile and abduction issues."

Normalizing relations

The stark warnings are at odds with a renewed sense of cautious optimism felt in nearby South Korea.

On Wednesday a cross-border hotline connecting North and South Korea, which had lain dormant for two years, rang once again, in what has been widely regarded as a major diplomatic breakthrough.

Contact between the two Koreas was initiated after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed hope during his annual New Year's day address that a North Korean delegation might participate in next month's Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

In September, figure skaters Ryom Tae-Ok and Kim Ju-sik became the first North Korean athletes to qualify for the Games -- a development that could have diplomatic implications as well as sporting ones.

Earlier in September South Korea's President Moon Jae-in told CNN that North Korean participation in Pyeongchang will "provide a very good opportunity for inter-Korean peace and reconciliation."

Ongoing threat

In total, North Korea has fired 23 missiles in 16 tests since February 2017, further perfecting its technology with each launch.

"My immediate task is to deal with North Korea," Abe told reporters at the time. "It will take tough diplomacy. With the mandate given by the people, I would like to exercise my command in diplomacy."