Japan, China and South Korea are making preparations to hold a three-way summit late this month. It would be the first such meeting in about four and a half years.

Arrangements have been underway since foreign ministers of the three countries agreed to hold the trilateral summit as soon as possible at a meeting in South Korea last November.

Government sources say Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol are scheduled to meet in Seoul. Kishida will likely visit South Korea from May 26 to 27.

Japan is seeking to reach an agreement on economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges in a bid to promote peace and stability in Asia.

North Korea's nuclear and missile programs are expected to be on the agenda. The three leaders will also likely exchange views on abduction issues.

Kishida is making arrangements to meet separately with Li and Yoon on the sidelines of the event.

The previous three-way summit took place in southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu in December 2019. Japan was represented by the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.