A framework for reform of the U.N. Security Council should be drawn up as soon as possible, Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda and former U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali agreed August 4, according to ministry officials.

Ikeda told Boutros-Ghali, who is visiting Tokyo, that the decision about which developing nations should be accorded permanent seats when the council is expanded is not easy but should not be shelved, the officials said. Boutros-Ghali said he backs Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the council, the officials said.