North Korea's nuclear weapons program dominated the two-day meeting of Asia and European foreign ministers in Kyoto, Japan.
In a closing statement, the ministers strongly urged North Korea to make a strategic decision to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and to return to negotiations without delay.
North Korea has boycotted talks with China, South Korea, Russia, Japan and the United States since June.
Friday, Japan hardened its stance, saying it will consider referring North Korea to the U.N. Security Council for action unless talks resume.
"They have the Security Council in their minds, as well as five-party talks, six minus North Korea," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hatsuhisa Takashima said.
North Korea is insisting on massive aid and specific security guarantees, before it will consider honoring its agreements to be nuclear free.
