Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The visit is expected to take place from October 18 to 21. Revealing the plan at a meeting with Japan's main governing Liberal Democratic Party on Tuesday, Suga described ASEAN as the key to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. He said he aims to show that Japan will take the lead in promoting peace and prosperity in the region.

Talking to the press, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the visit has an important role to play in fulfilling a vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Highlighting the importance of international cooperation, Minister Motegi said Japan wants countries’ support for its vision, stressing that Japan’s ability to discuss regional and international matters as well as post-pandemic issues frankly with Vietnam and Indonesia is meaningful.

Vietnam is the Chair of ASEAN this year, while Indonesia is a big nation in the bloc. Vietnam and Indonesia were also the first overseas destinations for former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo after he assumed the premiership for the second time in December 2012