Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is heading off to the Middle East for a series of meetings with leaders of oil producing nations.

Kishida leaves Tokyo on Sunday. He will visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The visits are aimed at deepening cooperation with the three nations. Japan wants to make sure it will have stable supplies of energy in the future.

The move comes amid uncertainties in the global energy market, due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other factors.

The oil producing nations are trying to diversify their industries by introducing renewable energy sources.

The prime minister is expected to indicate that he is ready to actively support their efforts by providing Japan's de-carbonization technology.

He is also due to reiterate the importance of maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law. This is likely with Russia and China in mind.

During the tour, Kishida is scheduled to meet the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The organization was formed by six Persian Gulf nations.

The two sides are expected to discuss the possibility of resuming talks on a free trade agreement. Negotiations have been stalled for more than a decade.