Bush says open to expanding UN Security Council

NEW YORK, Sep 25 (Reuters) US President George W Bush said today he was willing to consider expanding the UN Security Council and that close ally Japan would be a good choice to become a permanent member of the 15-member body.

''The United States is open to this prospect,'' Bush said in an address to the UN General Assembly. ''We believe that Japan is well-qualified for permanent membership on the Security Council and that other nations should be considered as well.'' REUTERS JK PM2025