Japan PM to visit West Asia before G8 summit

TOKYO, June 21 (Reuters) Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is set to visit Israel and Jordan in July prior to arriving in Russia for a Group of Eight summit, chief cabinet secretary Shinzo Abe today said.

Koizumi had planned to make a similar trip in January to meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials, but the trip was postponed after Israel's then-prime minister, Ariel Sharon, suffered a massive stroke.

Abe said Koizumi would encourage Israeli and Palestinian officials to make even greater efforts for West Asia peace, and would discuss regional issues in Jordan.

Tokyo has long felt it has a special role to play as a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians since it lacks much of the political baggage of the United States, enabling it to have warmer ties with many Arab nations.

Koizumi will leave on July 12 for the West Asia. The G8 summit starts on July 15 in St Petersburg.

REUTERS SY ND1356