Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, said Thursday he will visit Japan next week and meet with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
DeSantis, who will lead a business delegation and hold talks with business executives, is also scheduled to have a meeting with Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Monday, the first day of his two-day stay in Japan, according to Hayashi.
In addition to Japan, the governor of the southeastern U.S. state said he will travel to South Korea, Israel and Britain.
"This trade mission will give us the opportunity to strengthen economic relationships and continue to demonstrate Florida's position as an economic leader," DeSantis, who was re-elected to a second term in November, said in a statement.
The former congressman, who has not yet officially declared a presidential bid, is seen as one of the major potential contenders for the Republican nomination.
Japan is Florida's second-biggest bilateral merchandise trade partner in the Asia-Pacific region and the U.S. state's seventh-largest trade partner overall, according to the statement.
Underscoring the "significant relationship" between Japan and Florida, Hayashi told a press conference in Tokyo on Friday that he and DeSantis will exchange views on ties between their countries and the international situation.
Following Japan, the governor said the delegation will visit South Korea and then travel on Thursday to Israel.
The 44-year-old was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives between 2013 and 2018. He was once a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, whose endorsement helped him become governor of Florida.
But he and Trump are now increasingly at odds. Trump, who was charged in early April with 34 felony counts linked to his alleged role in a hush money payment to a porn star before the 2016 presidential election, has sharpened his attacks on the governor.
Despite the indictment, Trump is a front-runner in the Republican presidential field ahead of the election in November 2024.
DeSantis remains the second favorite, but some recent poll results have shown the former president's lead is growing.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who it is speculated may launch a campaign for the Republican nomination, is also scheduled to travel next week to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea to promote business opportunities.
During his two-day stay in Japan from Wednesday, Youngkin plans to meet with Kishida and attend meetings of Japanese business organizations, according to an official.
The Washington Post and other major U.S. media outlets reported Thursday that President Joe Biden is preparing to officially announce his bid for a second term as early as next week.
Related coverage:
Trump declares bid to return to White House amid party dust-ups
