TOKYO, JAPAN - Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada made a surprise visit to Afghanistan Sunday, becoming the first member of Japan's new government to travel there, his ministry announced.

He arrived in Kabul on a regional tour that will also take him to neighbouring Pakistan later in the day, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

He will stay in Pakistan until Monday and visit Indonesia Tuesday and Wednesday, the ministry added.

Okada was scheduled to meet with President Hamid Karzai, Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta and other Afghan leaders.

"The visit is aimed at prompting Afghan officials to establish a stable government after (August's) presidential election," the statement added.

Okada was expected to discuss Japan's contribution to the war-ravaged country and other issues, Japanese media said.

He will tell Pakistani leaders that Japan will "continue supporting the country's stable development while it undertakes anti-terrorism measures and economic reforms," the ministry said.

Yukio Hatoyama from the Democratic Party of Japan took over as prime minister on September 16 following a landslide victory in national elections.

Hatoyama has said he will end a naval support mission for US-led operations in the war-torn Afghanistan in January.

But Okada has said Tokyo could offer more development aid to Kabul in place of the refueling mission.

The Indian Ocean mission -- which began in December 2001 and was periodically renewed by Japan's ousted conservative government -- provides fuel and other logistical support to the US-led coalition.

Hatoyama's government is preparing to work out its plans to help Afghanistan before US President Barack Obama visits here on November 12 and 13 as part of an Asian tour.