(For more on Afghanistan, click [ID:nAFPAK]) * Japan foreign minster makes surprise visit to Kabul * Says to continue support for reconstruction * Does not comment on possible extension of military mission By Maria Golovnina KABUL, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada made a surprise visit to Kabul on Sunday but offered no clue as to whether Japan would halt its small but contentious contribution to the U.S.-led military mission in Afghanistan. Japan's new government is struggling to define its stance on Afghanistan ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's first visit next month. Japanese media have reported that Washington expects Tokyo to have come up with a clear policy by then. The fate of Japan's naval refuelling mission in the Indian Ocean, used to support NATO-led operations in Afghanistan and due to expire in January, will depend on the new administration. Okada, the first member of Japan's new government to visit Kabul, held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai but declined to comment on the naval mission. "We intend to continue to support Afghanistan's reconstruction efforts," Okada said in brief remarks after the talks. "As the Japanese government, we would like to extend substantial support ... and provide assistance that would be useful for Afghanistan." Karzai urged Okada to increase help to improve Afghanistan's electricity, education and agriculture, Kyodo news agency quoted a Japanese official as saying. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's aim to steer a course more independent from Washington has raised anxiety about possible friction with Japan's main ally over defence issues. The United States has said it hopes the refuelling mission will continue and Britain has also urged Japan to extend it. Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said this month that extending the mission was not an option, a day after a parliamentary defence secretary said the government should explore ways to keep the mission going. Okada, due to travel to neighbouring Pakistan later on Sunday, had earlier said Japan would not "simply" extend the mission, but declined to elaborate. (Writing by Maria Golovnina; editing by Robin Pomeroy) (For more Reuters coverage of Afghanistan and Pakistan, see: http://www.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/afghanistanpakistan)
Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada (R) administers a polio drop to a girl held by Afghan President Hamid Karzai during the inauguration ceremony in Kabul for a polio vaccination campaign in ...
