Islamabad, Aug 10: Japan, from where 12,000 to 14,000 visitors annually come to this country, is to help Pakistan upgrade its tourist destinations and archaeological sites to promote tourism between the two countries, it was announced here on Monday.

The decision was taken at a meeting here between Tourism Minister Maulana Atta-ur- Rahman and Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Chihiro Atsumi.

The minister apprised the envoy of the areas in which Japan could either assist Pakistan or enter joint ventures to promote tourism, APP news agency reported, without mentioning specifics.

Atta-ur-Rahman also proposed that Pakistan and Japan exchange expertise on training facilities on tourism.

Pakistan is home to the Buddhist religious and archaeological sites of Taxila, Charsadda, Takhtbai, Swat and Peshawar.

The minister informed Japanese envoy about the efforts made so far to preserve and protect Buddhists sites and other archaeological heritage destinations in Pakistan.

On his part, the Japanese ambassador asked the minister for proposals or specific details of projects where Pakistan needed assistance.

Atta-ur-Rahman assured Atsumi of fool-proof security arrangements made by the government for tourists visiting Pakistan either for religious purposes or for recreational and adventure purposes.