TOKYO - Japan plans to develop a robot to detect landmines and send it to Afghanistan next year, Kyodo news agency reported. Between five million and ten million landmines litter the war-torn nation, with explosions killing or maiming about ten people every day, the United Nations estimates.

Kyodo, quoting the Science and Technology Agency, said that seven specialists will try to develop a robot that will be capable of detecting mines even if some of its functions are destroyed in explosions. The robot could have six legs, or be snake-like.

Representatives of governments, international and aid agencies who met in Tokyo last month to discuss ways to rebuild Afghanistan said it would cost upwards of $500 million to clear the devices and could take as long as seven to ten years. Most of the mines were placed by Soviet forces during their decade-long occupation of Afghanistan, which ended in 1989. The plan will be announced next week when Japan, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the European Union will co-chair a major donors‘ meeting on Afghan reconstruction, Kyodo said, but gave no further details. Reuters