Japan eyes tripling number of nationals working at U.N. food and agriculture body

The government plans to triple the number of Japanese working at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)to signal its engagement in providing agricultural aid to developing countries, a government source has said.

The envisioned move comes as Tokyo aims to enhance its ties with Italy, host of the Group of Seven summit in May, and the FAO in a bid to gain support for reforming the U.N. Security Council where Japan aspires to become a permanent member, the source said Saturday.

Under the plan, the number of Japanese working at the FAO will be tripled over five years to over 90 from roughly 30 now. Japanese officials agreed with FAO officials in January to increase the proportion of Japanese personnel in accordance with its financial contribution to the U.N. organization, according to the source.