TOKYO, Feb. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri met on Tuesday and agreed to boost bilateral ties.

    Kasuri expressed willingness to boost bilateral relations with Japan and presented Koizumi with Pakistani postage stamps issued to mark the 50th anniversary of Japan's foreign aid to the country, Kyodo News reported, citing government officials .

    Kasuri also praised Japan's efforts to help Afghanistan rebuild and stabilize itself, including 5 billion US dollars in aid Japan has pledged, saying issues related to Afghanistan directly affect neighboring Pakistan.

    Pakistan considers Japan's aid for Afghanistan as indirect assistance to Pakistan, Kasuri was quoted as telling Koizumi.

    Kasuri met later in the day with Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura.

    Kasuri arrived in Japan on Monday to pay a three day visit. Enditem