United Nations - Mrs Sadako Ogata of Japan (70) yesterday dropped out of the race for deputy UN Secretary-General, a position the Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, hopes to create. "Given the numerous and grave refugee crises with which Mrs Ogata is dealing, she and the secretary-general have mutually agreed that it would be best for her to continue serving the international community in her capacity as High Commissioner for Refugees," a UN statement said.