Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on Thursday told visiting U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan that Japanese are becoming dissatisfied with their nation's increasing share of U.N. expenses and the lack of progress in reforming the Security Council, a Foreign Ministry official said.

For several years now Japan has been strenuously lobbying for a permanent seat on the Security Council.

During talks at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, Obuchi said Japan has sincerely fulfilled its financial commitment to the United Nations despite the country's severe economic situation in recent years.