Meanwhile, Japan announced today that it has lent some $850 million to Iraq, repayable after 40 years with a 10-year grace period at an interest rate of 0.75 percent a year.

Al-Maliki is also expected to meet today with Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe.

Tokyo backed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and provided troops for a noncombat, humanitarian mission. It withdrew its ground forces in July 2006, but has since expanded Kuwait-based air force operations.

Al-Maliki arrived in Japan late on April 8 after a delay because Iran barred his plane from crossing Iranian airspace due to what Iran said was the Iraqi side's failure to clear the flight in advance.

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