NHK has learned that Japan's national security chief will meet China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing to discuss North Korea's recent deployment of troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine.

Sources say the secretary general of Japan's National Security Secretariat, Akiba Takeo, headed for Beijing on Sunday and is expected to meet Wang on Monday.

They say the two officials will discuss how the involvement of North Korean troops in Ukraine could impact East Asia, and possible ways to respond to the move.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson indicated on Friday that China would not interfere in the relations between North Korea and Russia.

He said they are two independent sovereign states, and how they develop bilateral relations is a matter for themselves.

Diplomatic sources say the Japanese government recognizes the importance of exchanging opinions with China since there is speculation that Beijing is frustrated about the deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia.

Akiba and Wang are expected to also discuss arrangements to realize a Japan-China summit.