Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Thursday promised Micronesian President Leo Falcam that Japan will continue to provide economic and technical support to the western Pacific nation, a Japanese government official said.

During a meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, Mori told Falcam that Japan will provide assistance based on Micronesia's needs, particularly in the area of technical cooperation in connection with the nation's fishing industry, the official said.

Falcam, meanwhile, expressed support for Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and invited Mori to visit Micronesia.

Mori said he will make efforts to visit the country, according to the official.

Mori also told Falcam he wants the two nations to engage in constructive dialogue regarding their differences over Japan's tuna and bonito catches, the official said.

Japan has refused to sign a convention designed to regulate its catches of tuna and bonito in the western and central areas of the Pacific Ocean, saying it does not reflect a fair balance of interests between tuna-catching countries and Pacific island nations.

Pacific countries, including Micronesia, want Japan to sign the treaty, saying it would help protect tuna and bonito stocks in coastal areas.

Falcam arrived Wednesday for a four-day official working visit. The visit is Falcam's fourth to Japan and his third since becoming president of Micronesia in May 1999.