This party post virtually assures him the prime minister's job when Parliament votes this week. Mr. Obuchi made his lightning visit to Manila, which lasted barely 12 hours, in an attempt to send a positive signal to financial markets as well as to a large group of Asian and Pacific countries that started an annual round of security talks on Sunday. Mr. Obuchi flew to Tokyo shortly after midnight, following meetings with foreign ministers from China, South Korea, the Philippines and Russia. Concerns about the regional economic crisis dominate the discussions in Manila. They involve the foreign ministers of more than 20 countries, including the United States, Japan, China, Russia, Canada, South Korea, Australia and India, as well as the European Union, and will end Wednesday.
Japan is East Asia's largest source of aid, loans and investment and is a major trading partner.
Its ability to absorb more of the region's exports and extend credits would hasten economic recovery. After Mr. Obuchi's meeting with Mrs. Albright, Japanese officials quoted her as saying that Japan must help Asian economies return to growth by further opening its markets. Washington has pressed Tokyo in recent months to do more to stimulate its economy, deregulate its markets and clean up its debt-laden banking system. Mrs. Albright said on her way to Manila that if the Japanese were to ''retake their rightful place in the global economy,'' it was essential for their political leadership to act on these issues. He laid out a fairly comprehensive agenda and said he was going to move on it very quickly,'' the official said.