More sanctions flagged against N. Korea

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has indicated North Korea will be subject to further sanctions from Australia.

"The idea behind the sanctions is to send the clearest possible message to North Korea, that its behaviour will not be tolerated, that a nuclear-armed North Korea is not acceptable to our region," she said.

The North Korean nuclear threat dominated Ms Bishop's and Defence Minister Marise Payne's talks with their Japanese counterparts in Tokyo on Thursday.

At the same time, Ms Bishop urged China to step up pressure on the rogue nation to stamp out its belligerent and illegal behaviour.

"We believe that more should and could be done by China," in view of the two countries' unique relationship, Ms Bishop said.

China is the source of virtually all of North Korea's foreign direct investment, trade and energy.

North Korea's latest missile test fizzled over the weekend, but it conducted two nuclear test explosions and 24 ballistic missile tests last year.