TOKYO - Japan eyes providing $120 million in fresh aid to support refugees and humanitarian activities in Mali, and strengthen governance in the Sahel region in light of the growing presence of Islamist fighters there, local media quoted Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida as saying on Tuesday.

The aid is part of Japan's response to the hostage-taking in neighboring Algeria by Islamist militants, Kyodo News Agency said.

Senior Vice-Foreign Minister Masaji Matsuyama is expected to express Japan's readiness to support the government of Mali, including the envisioned financial support, at an Afisma-related meeting in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa later in the day, according to the report.