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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a press conference following the 59th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly at a hotel in New York City on the morning of September 22 (Japan time: night of September 22). At the press conference, Prime Minister Koizumi announced Japan's aim to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council by saying, "Japan has accumulated various experiences in such fields as peacekeeping operations (PKO) and assistance to Iraq and Afghanistan. Japan will be able to enjoy peace and prosperity only so long as the world is peaceful and prosperous. I believe it is reasonable for Japan to seek a seat at the Security Council, a key decision-making body, when taking on a role commensurate with its status in the international community and gaining a voice in the international community are thought to be necessary." In the afternoon (Japan time: dawn of September 23), Prime Minister Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Anand Panyarachun, the Chairman of the High-Level Committee, an advisory group to the UN Secretary-General on UN reform and the former prime minister of the Kingdom of Thailand. At the meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi shared Japan's view of the UN reform, saying, "Japan has confirmed with Brazil, India and Germany that each nation will support and cooperate with each other in gaining permanent membership on the Security Council. In addition to the reform of the Security Council, Japan holds a strong interest in measures against poverty and infectious diseases." In response, Chairman Anand said, "The Committee is taking into consideration the views of major countries such as Japan." The High-Level Committee is working to compile a report on the UN reform toward the end of this year. Prime Minister Koizumi having completed all his scheduled visits to Central and South America and attendance at the UN General Assembly departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on the government plane to Japan.

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Press Conference Following the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly