Washington, Feb 23 (IANS/EFE): US President Barack Obama and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met here Friday for talks that included the possibility of imposing new sanctions on North Korea in retaliation for Pyongyang's recent test of a nuclear device.

The two leaders talked to reporters following their session in the White House Oval Office.

Obama aides signaled ahead of time that there would be no announcement of specific new measures, only a demand for the UN Security Council "to speak with a single voice" in warning North Korea of negative consequences if the country continues to pursue a nuclear weapons capability.

"And so we'll be talking about a host of issues that - and steps that we can take in our respective countries to encourage the kind of trade, expanded commerce, and robust growth that will lead to greater opportunity for both the United States and Japan," Obama said.

Abe said: "I think I can declare with confidence that the trust and the bond in our alliance is back."