Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Tarō Kōno arrived in the Maldives on Saturday and is to sit with a number of government officials.

Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim and a delegation from his office welcomed Minister Kōno at the Velanaa International Airport.

Both ministers are to meet during this trip, which follows Kōno’s visit to Colombo of Sri Lanka on Friday.

The minister is to meet President Abdulla Yameen as well, though the ministry has not yet revealed when this meeting is scheduled for.

Although either governments are yet to announce an official purpose for the reported state visit, Kōno has been in high-profile talks with leaders in the region, notably South Korean counterpart Kang Kyung-wha, and in Africa