Aso indicates support for Ban as next U.N. chief

TOKYO — Japan on Tuesday welcomed South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Ban Ki Moon's good showing in a straw poll at the U.N. Security Council on Monday which virtually assures Ban of succeeding Kofi Annan as secretary general of the United Nations."We have been saying that we want someone from Asia, so the fact that it is South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Ban is good," Foreign Minister Taro Aso said in a news conference, hinting that Japan will support Ban in his bid to be the next U.N. chief.