Japan on Friday praised the U.N. Security Council's adoption of a presidential statement deploring the use of violence against peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar and vowed to continue efforts to work with other nations to improve Myanmar's situation.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>'Japan welcomes the statement that reflects a unified consensus of the international community,' Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said. 'We also hope the Myanmar government will respond to the efforts by U.N. special envoy –

Gambari and others, and that this will lead to the improvement in the democratization process and human rights conditions."

Machimura, the government's top spokesman, acknowledged that the statement's wording was "softened" in order to coax China and Russia into signing the unanimous agreement. But he still said it represented success.

"I consider 'strongly deplore' a rather strong expression . . . and I think it was good we were able to reach a consensus," Machimura said.

Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura also praised the agreement.

"Japan will work closely with the United Nations and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and urge Myanmar to move toward democratization," he told a separate press briefing.

The world body's nonbinding statement, adopted Thursday in New York, calls on Myanmar's junta and all other parties to work together toward a de-escalation of and peaceful solution to the situation.

At least 13 people have died and around 2,100 others have been detained in connection with the military crackdown on democracy advocates led by Buddhist monks in September.

Among those killed was Japanese video journalist Kenji Nagai, shot at close range by junta soldiers.