By DPA
Islamabad : Japanese Defence Minister Yuriko Koike arrived in Pakistan Wednesday for talks on regional issues and cooperation in the war against terrorism.
Koike was due to meet with her counterpart Rao Sikander Iqbal as well as Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and President Pervez Musharraf.
Despite opposition in the upper house of the Japanese parliament, the government wants to boost the country’s role in counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, in which US-allied Pakistan is a key player.
Tokyo’s contribution is currently limited to refuelling and other support operations by Japanese ships in the Indian Ocean.
The participation was approved by legislators after the Sep 11, 2001 attacks on the US but is due to expire in November.
Its renewal is expected to face delays after Japan’s centre-left opposition seized control of the upper house in elections last month.
Koike’s consultations in Pakistan coincided with a visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to India.