Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Japan said it will spend as much as $5 billion over the next five years to help the reconstruction of war-torn Afghanistan.

Japan “has been studying ways to assist the region as contributing to peace and stability in the international community meets our national interest,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said in announcing the package.

The first 80 billion yen ($889 million) dispersal will be made “for urgent needs,” according to a statement. The aid includes vocational training for former Taliban fighters, salaries for police officers and agricultural experts to restore farmland. The funds will be distributed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

JICA head Sadako Ogata said in an interview last week that “there are significant expectations for Japan’s civilian power” in rebuilding Afghanistan.

The assistance bolsters Japan’s role in the region after pledging $1 billion in aid over two years to Pakistan in April. The announcement comes ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit this week and may soothe any U.S. resentment over Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s decision to end a naval refueling mission in support of the war in Afghanistan.

Japan’s navy has been refueling warships in the Indian Ocean to support U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan since 2001. Hatoyama has said he won’t re-authorize the mission when it expires in January.

Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said today the international community will understand the decision to boost civilian support for Afghanistan instead.

“The amount is fairly big and the content of support is substantial,” Kitazawa told reporters.

To contact the reporters on this story: Sachiko Sakamaki in Tokyo at Ssakamaki1@bloomberg.net; Takashi Hirokawa in Tokyo at thirokawa@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 9, 2009 22:55 EST