Amid signs of a gradual thaw in inter-Korean relations and a growing divide between Seoul and Tokyo, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting U.S. Vice President Mike Pence reaffirmed Wednesday their commitment to a policy of maintaining "maximum pressure" on North Korea days ahead of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

In a joint statement with Pence, Abe also said Tokyo and Washington agreed to urge the global community not to fall for North Korea's "smile diplomacy," a reference to the regime's recent olive-branch tactics.

Pence's visit to Tokyo marked the beginning of his Asia trip, which will see him attend the games' opening ceremony Friday.