Philip Hammond today urged South Korea to rise above the behaviour of its northern neighbour and stop broadcasting propaganda over the dangerous border.
The Foreign Secretary said North Korea was deliberately baiting its neighbours with Wednesday's claimed H-bomb test.
The paranoid pariah state 'declared' the new test days before supreme leader Kim Jong-un's birthday, prompting condemnation around the world.
Mr Hammond, who is visiting neighbouring Japan today with defence secretary Michael Fallon, said: 'We have to be bigger than the North Koreans.'
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, second left at today's meeting, and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, left, took part in a 'two plus two' meeting in Tokyo today with the Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, second right, and Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, right.
While in Japan, Mr Hammond has warned South Korea to show restraint in its propaganda response to North Korea's nuclear bomb claims. The 'two plus two' meeting format, pictured today, is common across Asia
Mr Hammond said the international community should do what is needed to bring North Korea into line through sanctions, in return for restraint by its southern neighbour.
He said there was understanding of why South Korea felt the need to respond to the supposed escalation in its neighbour's nuclear capability.
But he added: 'We have to be bigger than the North Koreans ... We know responding in this way is simply rising to the bait North Korea is presenting to us.'
The claims by North Korea that it conducted a hydrogen bomb test are the top priority for talks during Mr Hammond's visit.
He previously hailed Japan as Britain's 'closest security partner in Asia' as he arrived in the capital for discussions on security.
Kim Jong-un's secretive state said it successfully tested a miniaturised hydrogen bomb, a move that would be a significant advancement of its nuclear armoury, but experts have cast doubt on the claims.
During the visit, it was reported by the Daily Telegraph that Royal Air Force Typhoon jets would be sent to Japan to take part in war games.
The exercises will come amid heightened tension in the region over China's territorial claims.
If the planes are sent it would be the first time in decades British aircraft have taken part in combat exercises in Japan.
Mr Fallon, pictured centre today, and Mr Hammond, right, met with Japanese Vice Defence Minister Kenji Wakamiya on the Japanese Ship Izumo, a helicopter carrier, at the Yokosuka Base of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces in Kanagawa
During the visit, Mr Hammond will discuss global security challenges with Japanese foreign minister Fumio Kishida alongside Mr Fallon and his opposite number Gen Nakatani.
The Foreign Secretary, who arrived in the country after visits to China and the Philippines, will also meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
At the start of the visit, Mr Hammond said: 'The UK and Japan are close allies. We enjoy a strong, historic relationship, based on common values and support for democracy, the rule of law, human rights and open markets.
'The long-term security of both the UK and Japan depend on upholding a stable international system. We will continue to work closely together to contribute to global prosperity, peace and security.
'The world today is increasingly dangerous, complex and uncertain. We face growing threats from terrorism and extremism, a resurgence in state-based threats including nuclear proliferation, and an escalation in challenges to our cyber security and to the rules-based international order.
'It is more important than ever for the UK to work with allies like Japan to counter these threats.
'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK is continuing to play a central role on the issues that matter and is working with allies like Japan to safeguard national security, as well as building our prosperity overseas.'
Mr Hammond, pictured left today, and Mr Fallon, right, also visited the American aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan on their visit to Japan
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