Japan calls for international copperation to make Malacca Strait safer

Japan calls for internationl copperation to make Malacca Strait safer

Japan's Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, has urged Asian countries along the sea lane through the Malacca Strait to set up a co-operative framework to prevent pirate attacks.

However, Mr Koizumi says such a framework would be difficult because it concerns the sovereignty of the countries concerned.

''But Japan cannot do it alone, and we will have to set up a mechanism of close cooperation and support with the countries concerned,'' he said.

The narrow 960-kilometre-long Malacca Strait is bordered by Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.