Japan's Foreign Minister Masahiko Komuri in Kabul, 04 May 2008

Japan's foreign minister is in Afghanistan on an unannounced visit to meet with President Hamid Karzai and Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

Masahiko Komuri arrived in Kabul Sunday after a visit to Pakistan. He was expected to discuss security issues and Afghan reconstruction with Mr. Karzai and with Spanta.

The French news agency reports that Komura asked his Afghan counterpart to work on improving relations with Pakistan. The two nations have been struggling with armed militants sheltering along their mutual border.

Japan said Komuri's visit was not announced ahead of time because of safety concerns. President Karzai was the target of a bomb attack on April 27.

In Pakistan Saturday, Komuri met with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, as well as Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Talks there centered on terrorism and cooperation on infrastructure projects.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.