Japan said Friday it will extend the participation of its troops in the U.N. peacekeeping operation in East Timor for one year until Aug. 20, 2004, government officials said.

The decision comes after the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution May 19 to extend for one year the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor, known as UNMISET.

The Self-Defense Forces team of 529 personnel has been helping to repair roads and bridges necessary for U.N. operations.