A recent resurgence of terrorist attacks by suspected Islamic radicals in Algeria and its surrounding areas has dealt a blow to resource-poor Japan's efforts to lubricate long-creaky relations with the oil-and-gas rich North African country.
Since taking office nearly three years ago, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has sought to convince foreign governments and investors that security in the long terrorism-beset country is on the mend.
He has done so in an attempt to get foreign aid and investment streams flowing, hoping they can help shore up an ailing economy.