Turnbull congratulates Japan's PM on win

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has personally congratulated his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on his major election victory.

Mr Turnbull called Mr Abe on Tuesday evening after the Liberal Democratic Party leader's ruling coalition was returned to power.

The pair also discussed North Korea ahead of upcoming summits in Asia.

Mr Turnbull reiterated Australia's strong support for Japan's commitment to addressing the threat by their rogue neighbour and vowed to continue to exert maximum pressure on North Korea to change course.

They agreed that next month's APEC meeting and East Asia Summit presented an opportunity to show regional solidarity on the current challenge.

The two leaders also spoke about pushing on with the Trans-Pacific Partnership without the United States, with both determined to pursue trade liberalisation and open markets.

Mr Turnbull and Mr Abe will gather with other world leaders - including US President Donald Trump - for APEC in Da Nang, Vietnam, in a fortnight.