Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is due to engage in a flurry of diplomacy next week. On March 18, he will host German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to launch a new bilateral dialogue framework.
Six German ministers are to accompany Scholz for the inaugural session of intergovernmental consultations. Kishida and Scholz agreed to launch the framework when they met last April.
Economic security, climate change and other issues of common concern are to be discussed.
Kishida told a meeting of government and ruling coalition parties on Friday that he hopes to have in-depth talks, with an eye on the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima in May.
Kishida also has a summit planned with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, during Yoon's two-day visit to Japan from March 16.
Kishida said he hopes to strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries -- and trilaterally with the United States -- through top-level talks. He said he will candidly exchange views with the South Korean president.
Kishida also disclosed a plan to visit India from March 19 for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India holds the Group of 20 presidency this year.