Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi called Monday for cooperation with African countries in their bids to win permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council during a speech at the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia.

"We must realize U.N. Security Council reform without delay. . . . We would like to strengthen collaboration with our African colleagues," Koizumi said, referring to Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the council and the African Union's campaign to win membership for two African countries.

Koizumi said Japan will promote an action plan to tackle infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria and will continue to assist the African Union's efforts in Darfur, Sudan.