With Japan taking an important part in the reconstruction of Iraq, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's five-day visit here, starting last Saturday, could not have come at a better time. His trip has given Japanese government leaders -- including not only Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi but also Mr. Naoto Kan, the opposition party head -- an excellent opportunity to exchange views with the world's top diplomat on ways of rebuilding Iraq and reforming the United Nations.

The visit came at a time when the world body, its reputation shaken by deep international divisions over the Iraq war, must re-establish its presence and repair the creaking system of international cooperation. A stronger U.N. role is a sine qua non for peace and stability in the war-torn country.

The discussions with Mr. Annan apparently produced no specific results in terms of a future U.N. role in Iraq. However, this does not lessen the significance of his visit, which has given a fresh boost to Japan's U.N. diplomacy. Mr. Annan's visit has offered an opportunity for Japan to discuss diplomatic efforts toward building a broad framework of international collaboration through the world peacekeeping body.