Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura made a pitch to Asian and African countries Wednesday for swift action on reforming the U.N. Security Council, calling it a matter "of the greatest urgency."

In a speech at the Asian-African ministerial meeting in Jakarta, Machimura also emphasized Japan's commitment to both regions and called for holding an Asia-Africa summit under the framework every four years as well as a ministerial meeting every two years.

"In order to consolidate international partnerships, it is of the greatest urgency that we reform the United Nations into an organization that reflects the reality of the international society today," Machimura said.