The Foreign Ministry will step up its efforts to achieve Japan's goal of gaining a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council after the fall U.N. General Assembly session.
This renewed thrust comes amid signs that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is warming to the idea.
"This is the best chance to reform the United Nations. We must not miss this shift," Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi told ministry officials holding their first meeting in early August at a new headquarters set up to discuss measures aimed at strengthening the U.N.