The governor of Al-Muthanna Province in southern Iraq, where Ground Self-Defense Force troops are stationed, said Thursday he will visit Japan soon.
The remark by Gov. Mohammad Ali-Hassan at a news conference was later confirmed by the Foreign Ministry, which said the governor will visit Japan for six days, beginning Sunday. He will conduct talks with Foreign Ministry and Defense Agency officials.
Hassan said his provincial government and Japan need to coordinate some reconstruction projects more closely.
He canceled a visit to Japan in late August, citing the deteriorating security situation in Samawah, the capital of Al-Muthanna Province.