Japan Pledges Two Bln Dlrs For Pakistan

TOKYO: The Japanese government decided Tuesday to pledge five billion dollars in new aid over five years from 2010 to help rebuild the war-torn Afghanistan, an official said Tuesday.

Japan also pledged two billion dollars in aid to Pakistan, in a move that came days before U.S. President Barack Obama visits Tokyo on Friday and Saturday.

“The government decided to extend five billion dollars in aid to Afghanistan over the next five years,” said a report by news agency that was confirmed by a Foreign Ministry official.

The center-left cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama early Tuesday, agreed to the plan of assistance that may be disbursed through international organizations such as the Development Program of the United Nations.

The main pillar is the assistance such as job training, to help former Taliban soldiers back into society, and the redevelopment of the capital city of Kabul, according to press reports.

Tags: Japan Pledges, Pakistan, Two Bln Dlrs