Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa is to take part in a series of foreign ministers meetings hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.

Hayashi arrived in Phnom Penh on Wednesday. It is the first time in three years that the meetings have been held in a face-to-face style.

At the talks, Hayashi hopes to confirm cooperation with other participating countries to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

He also wants to exchange views on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and regional issues, such as the situations involving the East and South China seas, North Korea and Myanmar.

The Japanese minister will also speak with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and arrangements are being made for talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin.

The face-to-face foreign ministerial meeting between Japan and China will be the first in about 21 months. Hayashi plans to urge China to play a responsible role on the Ukraine situation. He also intends to express concern about China's increasing maritime activity and ask the country to exercise restraint.

Attention is focused on whether Hayashi and Wang will speak about Taiwan after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan despite strong opposition from China.