Japan's most pressing diplomatic task is to resolve issues related to North Korea, including its suspected development of nuclear weapons, according to the annual Foreign Ministry "blue book," which was endorsed Tuesday by the Cabinet.

"The government is dealing with North Korean issues, which are directly linked to the security of Japan and its people, as the most important diplomatic task," the report says.

Japan is cooperating closely with the United States and South Korea, as well as China, Russia and international organizations, to pressure Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions, according to the report.

The North's activity in this regard is a matter of serious concern for the international community, the report says, noting that Japan is "troubled" that North Korea has failed to comply with international obligations.

The report also stresses the importance of Japan coordinating with the U.S. and the international community to urge Iraq to abandon its weapons of mass destruction.

It fails to mention that a U.S.-led military coalition has launched a war against Iraq and that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has officially voiced support for the move.

This is because the report's deadline was two days before the March 20 launch of the attack, according to Foreign Ministry officials.

Describing relations with the U.S. as the basis of Japan's diplomacy, the report states that the U.S. presence in the Asia-Pacific region acts as a deterrent, adding that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty is vital to the nation's security.

"From this point of view, it is necessary to make persistent efforts to further build trust toward the Japan-U.S. alliance," it says.