Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to honor postwar Japanese prisoners involved in building what is now a reputed theater in Uzbekistan during a visit to the country later this month, diplomatic sources from two nations said.

With this year marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the sources said Abe's visit to Uzbekistan as part of a five-nation tour of Central Asia will include a welcome event at the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre in the capital Tashkent.

The theater has been under renovation for two years, but efforts are underway to speed up the work so Abe can attend the opening of the refurbished venue. A concert and other events are being planned, the sources said.