Japan's vice foreign minister Yukio Takeuchi held talks with General Michael Hagee, commandant of the US Marine Corps, at the foreign ministry in Tokyo, the official said.

"Stability in the Middle East is important," Takeuchi told the US officer, according to the official.

"Our country will provide humanitarian assistance and do all we can to help construct a new Iraq," the vice foreign minister said.

Hagee replied that Washington is trying to limit damage to Iraq so that the country can be rebuilt smoothly. The US officer also said operations in the country were going according to plan.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reportedly hopes to visit the United States next month for talks with President George W. Bush on rebuilding post-war Iraq and North Korea's nuclear threat.

The premier may travel to Washington following his anticipated tour of Europe from late April to early May, the report said.

Last week, the Japanese government announced a plan to donate up to 100 million dollars to international organisations in response to a United Nations appeal for immediate humanitarian assistance for the Iraqi people.

During Monday's meeting, Takeuchi and Hagee agreed to maintain their close alliance in Asia amid growing fears of North Korea's nuclear arms programme and missile development, the official said.

SPACE.WIRE