New Delhi, Oct 21 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has left on a five-day visit to Japan and China today.

Dr. Singh will be in Japan from October 21 to October 23 for a bilateral visit and will travel to China from October 23 to October 24 for the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit.

In Japan, Dr. Singh will meet his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso and hold talks on political, security and economic ties, including a free trade agreement, aiming to expand bilateral strategic relations.

The Prime Minister is expected to discuss nuclear energy issues in Japan, which reluctantly backed a nuclear technology deal between India and the USA.

During his visit, Dr. Singh will call on Japanese Emperor Akihito. Several high-ranking Japanese ministers as well as Opposition leaders are expected to call on Dr. Singh.

On the eve of the Prime Minister’s visit, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said, "India-Japan laid out a roadmap for the strategic and global partnership last year and it will be carried forward during the talks. "

In China, Dr. Singh will attend the ASEM Summit. The 27-nation grouping, in which India was admitted in 2006, will deliberate on political, economic, social and cultural issues, including matters related to sustainable development.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. (ANI)