Afghanistan's President Karzai To Meet Japanese Leaders

AAfghan President Hamid Karzai

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai, on a visit to Tokyo, is due to meet Japanese leaders today to discuss improving security and governance in his war-torn country.

Japan has not sent troops to Afghanistan but is one of the biggest donors to the country.

Japan last year pledged $5 billion over five years but on condition that improved security allows international aid projects to go ahead and the money will not be lost to corruption.

Japanese money has been used to build roads, an airport terminal in Kabul, and to pay the wages of Afghan police.

Karzai, who arrived in Tokyo on June 16 at the start of a five-day visit, is due to hold talks with Prime Minister Naoto Kan today.

compiled from agency reports