German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder(L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at a press conference held in Tokyo, Dec. 09, 2004. Japan and Germany are actively pushing ahead with UN reforms, aiming at obtaining permanent membership in the Security Council.  (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    TOKYO, Dec. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder agreed Thursday to make joint efforts to push for the reform of the United Nations.

    "Japan and Germany look forward to consult with other Member States with a view to taking decisions on Security Council reform for a successful high level plenary meeting of the 60th session ofthe General Assembly," said a joint statement issued after their meeting.

    Japan and Germany are actively pushing ahead with UN reforms, aiming at obtaining permanent membership in the Security Council.

    "Among UN institutional reforms, Security Council reform is crucial," the statement said.

    At a press conference after the meeting, Koizumi said he thought a rapid US dollar's depreciation was not "favorable," however, he said he did not prefer an intervention.

    "I basically have doubts about intervention," he said when asked if he supports possible joint market intervention by the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan to stem the dollar's recent drastic fall.

    Japan stopped a 15-month dollar-buying intervention early this year. However, senior officials have warned to resume the practice if the dollar keeps going weaker against the yen.

    A strong yen makes Japanese exports more expensive and less competitive, which hinders the recovery of the export-oriented economy.

    Schroeder arrived in Japan on Wednesday. This is his first visit to Japan since June 2002 and his fourth as chancellor.

    He will attend a debate event with students at Tokyo's Sophia University on Friday before leaving for home the same day.

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