The body of 73-year-old Japanese physician killed earlier this week in a roadside shooting in eastern Afghanistan arrived in Narita airport near Tokyo on Sunday.

Dr. Tetsu Nakamura was affectionately known as "Uncle Murad" by villagers in eastern Afghanistan, where he led the development of water and agricultural management projects since his arrival in Afghanistan in 2008.

Nakamura was gunned down along with five Afghans on Wednesday as they travelled to the Nangarhar provincial capital of Jalalabad.

Nakamuro's wife Naoko and daughter Akiko had travelled to Afghanistan along with three of his colleagues, to accompany his body home to Japan.

His coffin was draped in a white cloth and covered with flowers.

Nakamura's killing shocked many Afghans and candlelight vigils were held throughout the country. Giant posters emblazoned with his picture still adorn parts of the capital.

Authorities in eastern Nagrahar province where the shooting occurred said they had received intelligence earlier that Nakamura may be targeted in an attack and had warned Nakamura to be particularly cautious.

Nakamura was travelling with three guards when he was killed. His guards also died.