41.   The United States supports permanent membership for both.

42.   The United States has long supported permanent council membership for Germany and Japan because of their political and economic clout.

43.   The United States has supported permanent membership for Germany and Japan because of their economic power.

44.   They also would be guaranteed permanent membership in the league, without having to qualify each year as they do for the UEFA tournaments.

45.   There have been proposals to grant permanent membership to Japan and Germany because of their economic power.

46.   Washington has also urged permanent membership for Germany and Japan as well as representatives from the developing world.

47.   For years Japan has been regarded as a strong contender for permanent membership of the Security Council alongside Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

48.   Germany said Tuesday it was ready to fully participate in UN peacekeeping missions, a condition set by some countries for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

49.   In addition to Germany and Japan, other states staking a claim for Security Council permanent membership include Brazil, India and Nigeria.

50.   Included in the reforms called for was the restructuring of the UN Security Council, expanding its permanent membership from the current five.