Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has departed for the Philippines and Malaysia for summit meetings in each country.

Kishida left Tokyo's Haneda Airport aboard a government plane on Friday morning.

Before leaving, he shared with reporters what he wants to confirm with each country's leader on his three-day trip.

Kishida said he hopes to work with them to maintain a rules-based, free and open international order that creates a world in which human dignity is protected.

Kishida said he will also ask for cooperation at a special summit next month in Tokyo between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

During his stay in the Philippines, Kishida will deliver a speech at the Philippine Congress, making him the first Japanese prime minister to do so.

He said he will take the opportunity to announce Japan's basic diplomatic policy in Southeast Asia toward the next era.

Kishida added that he also wants to send a clear message to the region and the world about his country's future relations with the Philippines and the ASEAN.