Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations plan to hold a session involving African countries when they meet next week in Germany.

Japanese Foreign Ministry sources say Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa aims to work more closely with governments in Africa as part of efforts to counter Russia.

The G7 foreign ministers' meeting will start on November 3. The sources say the agenda will likely include Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and China's increasing maritime assertiveness.

The talks with African countries may cover conflict resolution and responses to the food crisis.

The sources say Hayashi is expected to stress the importance of an international order based on the rule of law.

Russia appears to be increasing its sway over Africa, where a number of countries have taken neutral positions over the attack on Ukraine.