Japan has announced it will pay nearly half of the $43 million required from the

international community to try former Khmer Rouge leaders.

Fumiaki

Takahashi, Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, said Japan had committed an extra

$18.5 million towards the United Nations-backed trial, on top of $3 million

already pledged.

Takahashi urged other countries to contribute the other

$26.7 million needed from the international to start the trial, under the UN's

funding arrangement.

"It's extremely good news," said Helen Jarvis, an

advisor to the government on the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. "It's a significant

pledge. We are now optomistic the remaining 50 percent can be sought from other

donors."