Japan backs UN Chief Ban's intention to seek 2nd term

Tokyo, Jun 7: Japan will back UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon who has announced his bid for a second five-year term, top government official said today (June 7).

"We take note of the role that Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has played in tackling global issues during his term in the past five years, and we hope that he will continue to take on this grave responsibility in the international community," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told a news conference.

Japan has notified Ban of its support for his reappointment through a message from Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Edano said a day after Ban announced he will run again after his current term expires Dec. 31.

Ban, the former South Korean foreign minister, is expected to be easily reappointed as there are no other candidates and has already secured the backing of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

PTI (Kyodo)