The Group of Seven leaders hardened their stance on North Korea at their annual gathering last weekend, but analysts say this is just a start in efforts to persuade China to use its influence to tackle the threat from the hermit nation's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose country lies within the range of missiles North Korea has already developed, set out to convince his G-7 peers at the summit in Taormina, Sicily, that the threat is a global issue requiring a resolute response.

Analysts said the communique released at the end of the two-day meeting indicates Abe was mostly successful in that goal.