Japan may step in to help rescue Greece

Japan has said it will consider helping to save Greece as part of a wider bailout plan as it looks to avert a crisis in global growth.

Finance minister Jun Azumi said eurozone countries needed to come up with a rational plan to ease global concerns, adding Japan would potentially play its part if needed.

He told Reuters: "If there is a scheme that is based on a firm process, involves a reasonable amount of money and could provide the world and markets with a sense of security regarding a Greek bailout, I would not rule out the possibility of Japan sharing some of the burden."

The BBC said the finance ministry later confirmed the comments. Japan's willingness to help out comes as its own stock markets face turmoil amid the global sell-off.

The Nikkei has plunged from an August high of 10,132 points, shedding around 15% to 8,607 in the last month.

As turmoil continues, the yen - seen by investors as a safe haven - has continued to soar, putting pressure on its vital export market.

Japan is also continuing to recover and rebuild following the devastating earthquake that struck earlier this year.