UNSC Expansion: Japan 145;well qualified146;, says Bush

Reforms of the Security Council was one of the issues which Bush highlighted during his address at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

8220;Some have also called for reform to the structure of the Security Council, including an expansion of its membership. The US is open to this prospect. We believe that Japan is well qualified for permanent membership on the Security Council and that other nations should be considered as well,8221; he said.

India, Japan, Germany and Brazil are strong contenders for permanent seats in the expanded Council.

8220;The United States will listen to all good ideas and we will support changes to the Security Council as part of broader UN reform,8221; Bush said.

Bush8217;s stand on the Council expansion came on a day when Britain said it is backing India, South Africa, Japan and Brazil for permanent seats.

8220;We think, very clearly, that the South Africas of this world, the Japans of this world, the Brazils of this world, the Indias of this world, have a very clear claim for a permanent seat, and we will be arguing for UN reform,8221; Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in an interview to the BBC on Tuesday.