Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered support to Iraqi President Fouad Massoum on Thursday in stabilizing the country's new government so it can stem the threat posed by Islamic State militants, a Japanese official said.
Abe was quoted as telling Massoum that it is "indispensible" for the Iraqi government to stabilize itself and promote reconciliation among Iraqi people with various religious and ethnic backgrounds to counter the militants.
Japan supports the fight against the jihadist group called the Islamic State, Abe said in his first meeting with Massoum, who was elected president in July, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
Massoum asked for Japan's help so Iraq can deal better with political, military and fiscal problems.
Abe told Massoum of Japan's aid worth $25.5 million mainly to people who have been displaced due to conflicts involving the militants, according to Hiroshige Seko, deputy chief Cabinet secretary.
Abe asked Massoum to ensure the safety of Japanese people in Iraq and improve the environment for investment so more Japanese corporations can take part in projects, including those in the energy sector, Seko said.