Preparations are underway for a summit meeting among the leaders of Japan, China and South Korea next week. Government staff aim to produce a document based on the outcome of discussions in several areas.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol are scheduled to meet in Seoul on May 26 and 27.

Japanese government sources say the leaders are expected to agree on the importance of working toward the region's peace and stability in a future-oriented way.

They say arrangements are underway for the leaders to confirm that their countries will step up cooperation in areas discussed by their foreign ministers in November last year. The areas include economy, trade, human exchanges, security and public health including responses to infectious diseases.

The staff are working hard to figure out how the leaders will be able to reach consensus on resuming talks for a trilateral free trade agreement. Negotiations on the issue have been stalled since 2019.

The sources say the outcome document may include wording that the three countries will make efforts to hold a trilateral summit on a regular basis to strengthen relations. The summit has not been held for the past four and a half years.

Japan also hopes to call for cooperation in responding to North Korean abduction, nuclear and missile issues.