Abe told parliament on Wednesday he is worried US President Donald Trump will focus on intercontinental ballistic missiles and forget shorter-range missiles that threaten Japan but not America.
Abe made the remark after surprise talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jingping.
Meetings between Kim and the presidents of South Korea and the US are also being planned, sidelining Abe.
Abe said he wants to remind Trump of his concerns during an expected trip to the US next month.
He also said Trump should seek North Korea's full nuclear and missile abandonment, not just a nuclear test ban, AP reported.