Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi left Tokyo early Thursday for Madrid to attend an international meeting for Iraq's reconstruction.

In the Ministerial Meeting of the International Conference on Reconstruction in Iraq scheduled for Thursday and Friday, Kawaguchi will stress Japan's determination to contribute to the peace and stability of the international community by proactively providing reconstruction assistance to Iraq, said the Foreign Ministry.

She is expected to announce Japan's financial aid to reconstruction project Friday. The Japanese government announced last week it will provided US$1.5 billion in grants in 2004 to help rebuild Iraq.

In addition, Japan is reportedly considering a US$5 billion package for the next four years.

She also plans to discuss Iraq's reconstruction in separate talks with Paul Bremer, the US-appointed civilian administrator of Iraq, and Iyad Allawi, chairman of the US-backed Iraqi Governing Council, said Kyodo News.

After the meeting, Kawaguchi will pay a visit to Egypt and Tunisia, exchanging views with key figures of each country on the Middle East peace process, Iraq and other issues, said the ministry.

She is scheduled to return to Japan on Oct. 30.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2003)