TOKYO - Japan is expecting to launch formal negotiations on a trilateral free trade agreement with China and?the Republic of?Korea (ROK)?by year-end, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said Friday.

Gemba said Japan, China and South Korea will sign an accord aimed at facilitating investment between the three countries when their leaders meet Sunday in Beijing.

Gemba said he hopes the investment accord will pave the way for a Free Trade Agreement(FTA) between the three countries and it would be "best to enter talks by the end of the year."

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will leave for Beijing on Saturday afternoon to attend the annual one-day meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday.