Finance Minister Jun Azumi urged Europe to restore market confidence in the run-up to a Group of 20 finance leaders' meeting in Paris this week.

He repeated that Japan stood ready to buy more euro zone bonds so long as Europe comes up with a solid scheme to solve a crisis that has resulted in financial rescues for Greece, Ireland and Portugal.

But on Tuesday Azumi added that Japan would consult with the United States first, which a senior finance ministry official said was to underline the international concern over the crisis.

"The Europeans must first discuss a scheme among themselves. Only then will Japan and the United States consider what proposals can be made.