Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi departed from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to attend the in-auguration of Donald Trump as US president in Washington on January 20.

Governments have conventionally sent their ambassadors to US presidential inaugura-tions, but Trump has invited other countries' leaders to the event.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry said this is the first time for Japan's foreign minister to attend the inauguration.

Arrangements are being made for Iwaya to meet with officials of the Trump administration including US Senator Marco Rubio, who is set to be nominated for secretary of state.

He will also discuss plans for Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru to visit the United States in February for summit talks with Trump.