Japan has been elected to the Security Council for ten terms as a non-permanent member.
As a non-permanent member of the security council, Brazil does not have a veto, but its support is needed for a united front.
It was the only country out of the 10 non-permanent members to abstain.
South Africa was once again a non-permanent member of the Security Council between 2010 & 2012.
The non-permanent members serve two year terms and cannot be immediately re-elected.
Each year, half of the non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms.
The move was intended to show reluctant allies that there is sufficient support among the 10 non-permanent members.
There are also 10 non-permanent members, with five elected each year to serve two-year terms.
It has just been elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
The council's 10 non-permanent members, which serve two-year terms, find it hard to resist the permanent five.