NHK has learned that Japanese government officials are making final arrangements for Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to visit Australia this month.

Government sources say Kishida is planning the visit for late October if the Diet's deliberation schedule allows.

He hopes to hold talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to exchange views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific and other regional affairs, as well as international challenges.

The meeting comes as China is stepping up its maritime activities and North Korea is promoting its nuclear and missile programs.

Kishida apparently wants to confirm further cooperation with Australia in security and other fields to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific. Japan and Australia are part of the Quad framework, along with the United States and India.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine and how to cooperate in the economic field, such as by expanding the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP.