U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen and Defense Agency Director General Hosei Norota agreed Wednesday to share information if North Korea test-fires a ballistic missile.

During their meeting at a Tokyo hotel, Norota asked Cohen to share U.S. intelligence with Japan even if a missile fell far from Japanese territorial waters and Self-Defense Forces failed to fully track it, Defense Agency councilor Yoshiki Mine said in a briefing to reporters.

The two nation's defense chiefs also agreed that Japan, the U.S. and South Korea will exchange an "extended level" of information regarding North Korea's next missile launch. The spokesman declined to further elaborate.

Cohen and Norota share the view that the next missile firing by Pyongyang is "not imminent," Mine said.

The spokesman quoted Cohen as telling Norota that the U.S. is not considering taking military action against North Korea, denying an earlier Japanese media report that Cohen hinted to Japanese lawmakers Wednesday morning that force may be used to prevent the missile launch.

During the meeting with Norota, Cohen stressed the importance of policy coordination among Japan, the U.S. and South Korea rather than military action, Mine said.

U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korea is preparing to test-fire a Taepodong-2 ballistic missile, which could reach as far as Alaska and Hawaii.

Cohen was in Tokyo on a three-day visit to Japan. The U.S. defense secretary left Wednesday night for South Korea to discuss North Korean situations with officials in Seoul.

"I am delighted to see Mr. Cohen again only half a year after his last visit to Japan in January," Norota said in an opening speech at Wednesday's meeting. "This demonstrates that our bilateral defense exchange is closer than ever, and that a firm Japan-U.S. alliance is needed for the stability of the region."

Meanwhile, Norota told Cohen that Japan plans to develop reconnaissance satellites on its own and launch them by fiscal 2002, and for that, Japan will continue to need U.S. help. Mine quoted Cohen as only replying, "yes."

On the issue of relocating U.S. military installations in Okinawa, Cohen said that he expects the site currently occupied by the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station will be returned by the time Okinawa hosts the next G8 summit in July 200.

Norota, however, replied that the two nations should not link the Futenma issue and the Okinawa summit, citing that he would like to wait for and respect the Okinawa governor's decision on the relocation matter.

Later in the day Cohen visited Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka.

Explaining that Japan's basic policy is dialogue and deterrence, Obuchi expressed support for the U.S. approach toward North Korea, which is being spearheaded by former U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry, foreign ministry officials said.

Obuchi reiterated that there is no gulf among Tokyo, Washington and Seoul regarding how to approach Pyongyang, they said.

"Japanese people were shocked by the Taepodong-1 missile (fired over Japan last year). I may think a (longer-range) Taepodong-2 would be of more interest to American people," Obuchi was quoted by the officials as telling Cohen.

Cohen replied that unlike Taepodong-1, Taepodong-2 could put U.S. national security to danger.

Cohen told Obuchi that it is important to let Pyongyang know about disadvantages the nation will suffer if it goes ahead with the next Taepodong launch.

And if it did fire another missile, the U.S., Japan and South Korea would have to closely coordinate their policies before taking any action against Pyongyang, the U.S. defense chief was quoted as telling Obuchi.