Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will deliver a keynote address at an Asia security forum, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore on Friday. He is expected to unveil his vision to achieve peace in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other matters.

Kishida will stay in Singapore on Friday and Saturday, and will be the first Japanese prime minister in eight years to attend the conference. The previous one was Abe Shinzo.

The gathering will bring together defense chiefs, other senior officials and business leaders to discuss security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

During his speech, Kishida is expected to pledge an announcement of a concrete plan by next spring to facilitate a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Kishida is likely to reiterate his intention to drastically strengthen Japan's defense capabilities and further bolster the Japan-US alliance's deterrence and response capabilities.

Kishida is expected to appeal for efforts toward a world free of nuclear weapons. The prime minister's electoral district is in the city of Hiroshima.

Japanese Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo will also participate in the Shangri-La Dialogue.

He will hold a trilateral meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup on the sidelines of the conference.

They are expected to confirm their cooperation on dealing with North Korea.

Kishi also plans to meet Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe to register Japan's concerns about China's growing maritime assertiveness, and to urge Beijing to exercise restraint.