The foreign ministers of Japan and the Solomon Islands have agreed to enhance cooperation to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific, apparently with China's increased presence in the Pacific region in mind.

Japan's Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa met his counterpart of the Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele, in the Pacific island country's capital, Honiara, on Sunday.

Hayashi is the first Japanese foreign minister to visit the island country.

Hayashi explained to Manele that Japan has hosted the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting for more than 20 years to address a variety of problems island nations are facing.

He indicated that Japan is ready to continue its support of the country in such fields as maritime security and assistance to remove unexploded munitions.