Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be looking to strengthen economic ties with five Latin American nations, including Mexico and Brazil, during an overseas swing that starts Friday.
Abe will also seek support from Latin America for Japan's bid for a nonpermanent seat on the U.N. Security Council in next year's election, officials said.
He is scheduled to return Aug. 4 after visiting Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Chile and Brazil.
Mexico and Chile are participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, so Abe will be discussing the trade pact with their leaders.
In his meeting with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Abe is expected to propose accelerating bilateral free trade talks.
In Brazil, Abe and President Dilma Rousseff are expected to confirm cooperation on reforming the U.N. Security Council, which has five permanent members.
Both Japan and Brazil aspire to become permanent members.