The Philippines' justice secretary says officials from his country and Japan will hold talks on Tuesday on the handover of Japanese nationals suspected of involvement in a series of robberies in Japan.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told a news conference on Monday that the meeting will be attended by officials of the Japanese Embassy in Manila.

Remulla said he hopes to settle the matter before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits Japan. The president is scheduled to make the trip in the first half of February.

Japanese police have asked the Philippine authorities to hand over four or five people who are being held at an immigration facility in the country. They include Watanabe Yuki and Imamura Kiyoto.

Police had obtained arrest warrants for the Japanese nationals for their alleged involvement in separate cases.

Police suspect one or more of these people used the alias "Luffy" to give instructions to perpetrators of robberies in Japan.

Remulla said Watanabe can be handed over to Japan in about 10 to 14 days if legal procedures in a case pending against him are suspended.