The Lower House, responding to Pyongyang's atomic test last month, unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday urging the government to push harder for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

A similar resolution is expected to clear the Upper House on Wednesday.

"Being the only nation victimized (by atomic attack), our country has the duty to lead the world (toward) the abolition of nuclear weapons," the resolution states.

It says the world faces a growing threat from the proliferation of nuclear weapons, materials and technology.

Japan "should work closely with the nonnuclear countries and seek the understanding of nuclear states to actively set forward measures toward nonproliferation and disarmament of nuclear weapons and to establish an effective inspection system," it says.

North Korea announced May 25 it had conducted a second nuclear weapons test, triggering harsh criticism worldwide. Last Saturday, the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1874 condemning Pyongyang.

"The government should take this opportunity to make efforts so the movement toward the abolition of nuclear weapons, especially in this region, which includes North Korea's nuclear (threat), becomes a global trend," the resolution says.

After the House of Representatives voted unanimously for the resolution, Prime Minister Taro Aso promised to take immediate action putting the U.N. resolution into action and to strengthen measures against nuclear proliferation.

"The government accepts the reality that our nation faces (a grave threat) and makes a fresh resolve to strengthen the movement toward international nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation to ensure the security of Japan," Aso said.

"North Korea's recent nuclear test was a serious threat to our nation's security," he said. It "greatly damages the peace and safety of Northeast Asia and the international community, and absolutely cannot be tolerated."