PHNOM PENH -- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stressed the importance of an international order based on the rule of law at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Plus Three summit in Phnom Penh on Saturday, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol also attended the summit, which involves the participation of ASEAN members plus Japan, China and South Korea.
At the summit, Kishida also called for the international community to be united in its response to North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches.
Kishida arrived in Cambodia on Saturday and is scheduled to visit two other countries in Southeast Asia during his trip through next Saturday.
The prime minister is scheduled to attend a Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, on Tuesday and Wednesday, and an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok on Friday and Saturday.
"I'll explain Japan's stance on issues regarding Ukraine, North Korea and other matters such as food and energy security," Kishida said ahead of his departure on Saturday.
In Phnom Penh on Sunday, Kishida is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Joe Biden and trilateral talks with Biden and Yoon to strengthen cooperation in dealing with North Korea.
Kishida and Yoon will hold their own bilateral talks on the same day. Arrangements are also being made for Kishida to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bangkok.
Departure delayed
Kishida delayed his departure for Cambodia on Friday to fire Justice Minister Yasuhiro Hanashi, who provoked uproar with flippant comments about his duties in the Cabinet post.
Kishida has appointed Ken Saito as the new justice minister.
The prime minister's plane had been scheduled to depart from Haneda Airport in Tokyo at 3 p.m. Friday and arrive in Cambodia the same day. The flight ended up leaving after 1 a.m. Saturday.
Kishida arrived in Cambodia at 5:30 a.m., giving him just enough time to attend the 8 a.m. start of the ASEAN+3 summit, which involves the participation of Japan, China and South Korea.
Bilateral meetings with Laos, Vietnam and Brunei that were scheduled for after the ASEAN summit were canceled.
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