Japan has urged that the veto powers given to the US, Britain, France, China and Russia be reconsidered. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hatsuhisa Takashima said on Wednesday that all permanent members of the UN Security Council should be treated the same as other members. "Japan considers it unfavourable to have permanent Security Council members that have veto power and those that don't have it," Takashima said. But the spokesman added that Japan would bow to the majority within the UN "if we get a seat and a veto as well if it is the consensus of the international community". A high-level panel on reforming the UN appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan has proposed two models for reform, including one that would add six new permanent members to the council but without the power of veto. Japan, along with Germany, has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council. Annan wants a decision on reform next year. Any change to the council membership needs approval from two-thirds of the 191-member General Assembly and must avoid a veto by any of the council's current permanent members. |