Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa may visit China this weekend and meet with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang.

Arrangements are under way for Hayashi to make a two-day visit from Saturday. If realized, the visit will be the first by a Japanese foreign minister since December 2019.

In his meeting with Qin, Hayashi is expected to express deep concern over the situation in the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, and increasing coordinated military activities by China and Russia around Japan.

Japan controls the Senkaku islands. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them.

Hayashi is also expected to seek an early release of Japanese nationals who had been detained in China, including an employee of a major Japanese pharmaceutical firm. The man was reportedly detained earlier this month.

But the foreign minister is also anticipated to convey Japan's intention to continue dialogue with China to build constructive and stable bilateral relations given the two countries' heavy responsibilities for the prosperity of the region and the world.

In November, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Chinese President Xi Jinping held the first face-to-face Japan-China summit in Thailand. The two leaders agreed to promote close communications at all levels, including summits, to develop Japan-China relations.

Hayashi was scheduled to visit China in December, but the visit was postponed in line with the wishes of the Chinese side.