DUSHANBE, December 3, Asia-Plus – Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmon is on a four-day visit to Japan from Sunday, during which he will attend the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Oita Prefecture and meet Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in Tokyo, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

Rahmon, who is on his third trip to Japan, will also have an audience with Emperor Akihito during his stay in Tokyo from Tuesday, Press Secretary Mitsuo Sakaba said.

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and other Asia-Pacific government leaders launched a two-day regional water summit in southwestern Japan on Monday in a bid to boost their political commitment to solving water-related challenges increasingly facing the region amid rapid population growth and global warming.

The First Asia-Pacific Water Summit brought together about 300 people, also including industry leaders and environmental experts, from some 40 countries and territories in the Beppu hot-spring resort in Oita Prefecture. Under the main theme "Water Security: Leadership and Commitment," participants will exchange opinions on water shortages, disasters, insufficient infrastructure and governance, and other water-related issues. A total of 10 panel sessions will be held.