New Zealand foreign minister hails ties with Japan.

(From BBC Monitoring International Reports)

Text of report by Aaron Baldwin, published in English by Japanese newspaper Mainichi Daily News website on 31 May

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters hailed Japan and New Zealand's "excellent working relationship," and discussed topics ranging from whaling to nuclear security when he appeared in Tokyo on Tuesday [30 May] for an address on the two countries' cooperation in their region.

Peters spoke on the two countries' relationship in an address for the Japan Institute of International Affairs, as part of his weeklong visit to Japan.

"We must be proud with respect to the excellent working relationship Japan and New Zealand have developed. We need to continue to work together to make sure we unlock the full potential of this relationship," he said.

Discussing Japan's international standing, he said New Zealand backed a role …