Japan last Tuesday agreed to provide Jordan with support for its nuclear energy program as the kingdom plans to launch its first atomic power plant in 2017, officials said.
The five-year accord was signed in Tokyo as Jordan's King Abdallah II was making a three-day trip to the Japanese capital, said an official of Japan's Energy Agency.
Under the accord, which can be extended for another five years, Japan would help Jordan draft a development program for construction of nuclear power plants and help develop necessary infrastructure, the official said.
Japan would also help Jordan train nuclear power plant workers and introduce safety measures and regulations.
Japan, Asia's industrial powerhouse but poor in energy resources, is one of the world's leading users of atomic energy with more than 50 nuclear power reactors.
Earlier in the day, King Abdallah had lunch with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
The king later had talks with Prime Minister Taro Aso.
King Abdallah, who arrived on April 12, met Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone the next day and urged Japan to play a role in stalled talks over the Arab-Israeli peace process.
This was his sixth trip to Japan since becoming king in 1999, following a visit in December 2006.
© Monday Morning 2009
