TOKYO, Sept. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Japan plans to call for a cut in its contributions to the United Nations from 2007 as it is unlikely the country will obtain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council for now.

    According to Kyodo News, in a speech at a UN General Assembly session opening on Sept. 19, Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura will effectively demand the cut by highlighting the need to review contributions by UN members.

    The move shows that Japan intends to gain a permanent UN Security Council seat by obtaining public support for the so-called "excessive financial burden" it currently carries for the United Nations.

    Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi also plans to leave for New York on Thursday to attend a special UN summit, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said Monday.

    Koizumi is scheduled to deliver an address calling for reforming the United Nations as soon as possible, including by expanding the UN Security Council, during the three-day summit that starts Wednesday to mark the 60th anniversary of UN founding,the top government spokesman told a news conference.

    This move came after Koizumi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory in Sunday's House of Representatives election.

    In 2005, the UN budget, or contributions from UN members, totaled 1.83 billion dollar, of which 338 million dollar, or 19.47percent, came from Japan. Enditem