A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the east coast of Japan on April 17, but no tsunami warning was issued, Reuters reported, citing public broadcaster NHK.

The United States is committed to defending Japan and opposed to any Chinese action to seize territory controlled by Japan in the East China Sea, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said April 14, AP reported.

The United States and Japan are committed to new talks with North Korea if Pyongyang will begin to adhere to its previous agreements on its nuclear and missile programs, U.S. and Japanese officials said, AP reported April 14.

Russia would welcome a new round of talks in Switzerland over North Korea's nuclear program, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said April 12, AP reported.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to South Korea on April 12, AP reported.

China's Foreign Ministry on April 10 expressed concern after Japan and Taiwan signed a fishing agreement for the seas around the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, Reuters reported.

North Korea says it will fire missiles into the Pacific Ocean on April 10 and that these missiles will pass Japan, Sankei Shimbun reported April 9.

Japan has deployed Patriot missiles to protect Tokyo in response to moves by North Korea, officials said, Al Jazeera reported April 9.