Al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden used to consider doing some harm to Japan's economy by attacking tankers heading to the country, Kyodo News reported Tuesday, quoting a former member of the terrorist group.

The former member told Kyodo's correspondent in Egypt in a recent interview that bin Laden expressed the idea in late 2001 due to frustration with Japan's decision to support the U.S.-led war on terror.

"Japan can't stand any attack against its interests. We could destroy Japan's economy. We could attack tankers headed to Japan," the al-Qaida leader was quoted by the former member as telling a close aide when they were hiding in Tora Bora mountains of eastern Afghanistan.

The former member, a Saudi Arabian citizen who was one of bin Laden's guards in Tora Bora mountains, said he was not aware of any specific plan, Kyodo said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2007)