Prime Minister Shinzo Abe embarked Monday on a five-day visit to Canada and the United States to hold talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and attend a U.N. General Assembly meeting to pledge humanitarian support for Syrian civilians.
"I would like to make clear our policy of contributing toward (resolution of) the Syrian issue" to the U.N., Abe told reporters just before leaving from Haneda airport.
The Syrian crisis will be at center stage during the U.N. General Assembly. During his speech, Abe is expected to announce fresh aid worth $60 million to support Syria's refugees, up from the $10 million initially planned.