Johnson will meet with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, to discuss an increased foreign and security cooperation.

Lula denies corruption charges, saying they are politically motivated. He intends to stand for election next year.

It does not allow users to book tours directly and does not list the handful of foreign agencies that arrange trips to the isolated state.

Russia's contention that North Korea did not fire an ICBM hinders Washington's push for the Security Council to impose stronger sanctions on North Korea.

The U.S. decision, said one of the officials, is part of an effort by the administration to improve relations with Russia.