Japan's Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi has encouraged Burmese leaders to break down more barriers with the country's opposition.

She told both the ruling military chiefs and pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi to talk to each other, adding that Tokyo - Burma's largest aid donor and creditor - would be willing to provide assistance to help modernisation.

General Than Shwe held over an hour of talks with Ms Kawaguchi

Ms Kawaguchi held an hour of talks with Aung San Suu Kyi after a similar period of discussions with General Than Shwe in the first visit to Burma, also known as Myanmar, by a Japanese foreign minister since 1983.

Burma's capital Rangoon is also hosting a United Nations delegation and visits by senior Thai and Malaysian diplomats are in the offing.

BBC Burma analyst Larry Jagan says Japan is keen to emphasise its different, less confrontational approach to Burma compared with the US and Europe.

He says Ms Kawaguchi's visit was intended to underline the special relationship Japan believes it has with Burma and the way it thinks it can work with both the generals and the pro-democracy sector.

Both Japan and the UN envoy Razali Ismail believe that economic and political reform must go hand in hand, but our correspondent says critics claim Japan's view are more a reflection of the country's economic and business interests in Burma than support for democratic change.

Aid pledged

Ms Kawaguchi renewed offers of future assistance, despite reports of international disquiet at the way Tokyo has promised help before reforms are evident.

A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said Ms Kawaguchi told General Than Shwe and other members of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) that aid could be provided for democratisation and nation-building.

"She encouraged the SPDC to promote political dialogue further," the official said.

Ms Kawaguchi is Japan's most senior diplomat to visit Burma in 19 years

"Also, she emphasised the importance of attracting foreign capital through economic reforms... and she encouraged the SPDC to move ahead further with its reconciliation with minorities."

Though Aung San Suu Kyi was released from 19 months of house arrest in May, there is yet to be substantial discussion between her opposition National League for Democracy party and the military junta.

UN envoy Razali Ismail is also in Rangoon pushing for a furthering of the reconciliation dialogue he is credited as having brokered in the first place.

He and Ms Kawaguchi are among a number of international officials with whom Aung San Suu Kyi is engaging.

She was reported on Monday to be seeking a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad who will visit Burma later this month.

Thailand's Foreign Affairs Minister Surakiart Sathirathai is also planning a trip to Burma to discuss border tension.