Russia welcomes Japan’s foreign minister

Russia welcomes Japan’s foreign minister

Aso was set to meet with Wednesday with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, to prepare for a planned meeting between the two countries' leaders at the July G-8 summit.

Before leaving Tuesday, Aso said the G-8 foreign ministers' meeting would address North Korea's suspected missile launch and Iran's nuclear program, the AP reports.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss islands claimed by both countries, along with bilateral cooperation in trade, defense and politics, a ministry official said on condition of anonymity due to protocol.