Earlier this year, the government appeared confident that Japan could become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council this fall when world leaders were to meet in New York to discuss reforming the 60-year-old body.
But the environment surrounding its bid took a turn for the worse, and the U.N. has postponed resolving questions over reform at least until the end of the year.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi suggested in a speech Thursday at the U.N. World Summit that Japan is willing to wait until September 2006 to reform the powerful council and become a new permanent member.
"Now, for the first time in U.N. history, there is a real prospect that action will be taken, with extensive support from the member states," Koizumi said.