New York - The United Nations General Assembly on Friday elected Japan, Uganda, Turkey, Austria and Mexico to seats on the UN Security Council.

It will be the 10th term for the economically strong Japan.

The five new members will begin their two-year terms on January 1, 2009, replacing Indonesia, South Africa, Belgium, Italy and Panama.

For developing countries, membership to the 15-nation council brings international prestige and authority as the council is the the top political body responsible for the maintenance of peace and security around the world. They will share the limelight with the permanent members who have veto power - The United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.

Japan, which has demanded a permanent seat, said its return to the council was prompted by its desire to work toward resolving issues and problems besieging Asia.

"Japan wants to push up efforts of the international community to resolve regional conflicts," said Ambassador Yukio Takasu.

Referring to difficult ties with North Korea, Takasu called on the council to pay attention to issues related to that country.

"So long as the six-party talks on North Korea proceed well on every front, including nuclear issues, energy issues and abduction cases, and bilateral relationships, the council should keep an eye" on the region, he said.

Takasu said the talks have been "up and down," a reference to continuing differences between North Korea and other parties involved in the discussions, which include China, Russia, the US, Japan and North and South Korea.

In the election to the 192-nation assembly, Iran competed with Japan for the Asian seat, now occupied by Indonesia, and lost. Japan won with 158 votes against Iran's 32 votes.

Iceland, with 87 votes, was defeated in its drive to win the council seats reserved for Western Europe. Austria and Turkey won with 133 votes and 151 votes respectively to take over seats to be vacated by Belgium and Italy.

Uganda and Mexico, running unopposed, won the African and Latin American and Caribbean seats.

The 15-nation council is composed of five permanent members and 10 members are elected to serve two-year terms. (dpa)