Tokyo, Feb 17 (IANS/EFE): Japan will contribute 1.8 billion yen ($15.5 million) towards the war against terrorism in the Middle East and Africa, doubling the amount initially allocated, the foreign ministry announced Tuesday.

The decision comes after the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group recently executed two Japanese hostages.

The amount allocated is double than the previous one announced by Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida during his visit to Brussels Jan 20, the same day the IS threatened to kill the Japanese citizens in their captivity.

The objective of the contribution is to strengthen the efforts to fight terrorism in the Middle East and Africa, said the statement.

Kishida said he would provide details regarding the aid at an anti-terrorism conference in Washington Thursday.

The amount comes under Tokyo's "Three-Pillar Foreign Policy", according to the ministry.

The other two pillars are stronger ties and diplomacy in the affected regions and the creation of societies that are resilient to radicalisation.