Japan versus Iran for UN Security Council Seat

The election of non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council by the UN General Assembly will take place on Oct. 17. Japan is a candidate for the Asia seat, but it is pitted against Iran, a country that has been hit with a sanction resolution by the UNSC for its nuclear issue. Japan, which wants to become a permanent Council member in the future, is bent winning this seat, with a diplomatic source confiding, "Victory is assured. It will be decided in the first round." Although Japan is favored to win, since under the voting method used, the ballots are not signed, it will likely be a hold-your-breathe election to the end.

Source: Nikkei, pg. 8, 17 Oct 08