Japan's Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba has asked for Russia's help in obtaining UN Security Council action if North Korea goes ahead with a launch of what it calls a satellite-carrying rocket. Gemba talked with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday in Washington on the sidelines of a Group of Eight foreign ministers meeting. They shared concern over the planned launch and agreed that Japan and Russia would maintain close communication on the matter. Gemba told reporters after the meeting they discussed measures to be taken if the North presses ahead. Gemba said he conveyed Japan's expectations for Russia's role at the Security Council in adopting a possible new resolution condemning North Korea.Gemba said Lavrov responded that cooperation among members of the six party talks on North's nuclear program -- Japan, Russia, the United States, China, and South Korea -- is important. Thursday, April 12, 2012 16:21 +0900 (JST)
