TOKYO, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on the phone Thursday discussed policy measures ahead of the first-ever U.S.-Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) summit in the coming weeks, the foreign ministry here said in a statement.

Abe, according to the ministry, told Trump he welcomed the positive attitude of the DPRK and while passing on his congratulations for the release of three Americans detained by the DPRK, described their liberation as a major outcome, the ministry said.

Abe briefed Trump about the details pertaining to a summit held here on Wednesday with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, with the ministry saying that discussions and exchanges of opinions were held between the three addressing the upcoming U.S.-DPRK summit.

In a press conference following his phone conversation with Trump, Abe told a press briefing that he congratulated Trump on the latest diplomatic efforts made between Washington and Pyongyang, describing the freeing of the U.S. citizens as a "big achievement."