TOKYO - JAPAN'S government decided on Tuesday to pledge US$5 billion (S$6.94 billion) in new aid over five years from 2010 to help rebuild war-torn Afghanistan, an official said on Tuesday.

Media reports said the government also pledged two billion dollars in assistance for neighbouring Pakistan in a decision that came days before US President Barack Obama visits Tokyo on Friday and Saturday.

'The government decided to extend US$5 billion in assistance to Afghanistan over the next five years,' said a Jiji Press news agency report that was confirmed by a foreign ministry official.

The cabinet of centre-left Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama early on Tuesday agreed the plan for the aid, likely to be disbursed through international organisations such as the UN Development Programme.

The main pillar is assistance, such as job training, to help former Taleban soldiers return to society, and the redevelopment of the capital city of Kabul, said Jiji and other media reports.

Since coming to power in September, Japan's government has said it will end a naval refuelling mission that has supported the US-led campaign in Afghanistan, but has promised to step up aid instead. -- AFP