As Japan grapples with the dilemma of how to aid victims of conflict without appearing to take sides, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross has said his group represents a good way to insulate donor nations from risk.

"What is important is the Japanese government's support for neutral and impartial humanitarian assistance that ICRC is able to deliver," President Peter Maurer told The Japan Times on Thursday on a visit to Tokyo.

Maurer said he had met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and lawmakers on Tuesday and had spoken to them of the ICRC's special status.