Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi met a group of youth representing the 2nd and 3rd generations of the "repatriates" from what was (and in part potentially still is) the Japanese Northern Territory, currently held by Russia.
Every year, Japanese youth with parents or grandparents from these islands north of Hokkaido participate in an event to mix with peers on the main Japanese island of Honshu to remind them of the "off-limit islands up there." This year, eight such youths from Hokkaido took part and had an exchange with junior high schoolers from Tokyo and neighboring prefectures.
Keita Sato, an 8th grader representing the eight youths, said in his message to the Prime Minister: "We hope you will work for an early reversion of the islands where our parents and grandparents used to live."

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi was among the mourners for the war dead at the annual ceremony in Hiroshima to console the souls of the dead including victims of the A-bomb. Also among them were Mayor Takashi Hiraoka of Hiroshima, and ambassadors from India and Pakistan which conducted nuclear tests in May 1998. On hand were some 50,000 people including surviving victims and bereaved families.
In his message Obuchi expressed the Government's deep resolve to stop nuclear arms proliferation and prompt global disarmament. "This is a lofty mission given to the A-bombed nation," he said.
Obuchi added that considering the aging of surviving victims, the Government will step up aid for their well being.

The new Prime Minister, Keizo Obuchi, gave his first policy speech at the joint plenary session of the Upper and Lower houses.
Leader of an "Administration to heal the ailing economy," Obuchi pledged a long-term tax cut package (totaling "more than \6 trillion") to be effected from fiscal 1999, and also a supplementary budget of over \10 trillion for fiscal 1998.
Obuchi strongly vowed: "This Cabinet will do its utmost, for its life, to bring the nation's economy on the right track within two years' time." Besides economic prosperity, Obuchi added that a "wealthy and morally motivated" nation is the new Cabinet's overall vision of Japan, so that Japan may be trusted by the international community in the 21st century.

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi attended Nagasaki City's annual ceremony to mourn the A-bomb victims and pray for lasting peace.
Expressing his "deep concern" over the latest Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests, Obuchi addressed the gathering:
"I hope the coming UN Disarmament Conference in Nagasaki this coming November will become a precious venue for you, the people of Nagasaki, to convey your sentiments to the whole world."
After the service ended, Obuchi visited the city's "home for the victimized" and personally encouraged each patient.

At the Budo-kan in Tokyo (near the Imperial Palace), the Government staged its annual program to mourn forever the war-dead Japanese, with Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko present.
Approximately 7,000 representing all social sectors and bereaved families were there to pray for the repose of the souls of some 3,100,000 killed in the last war.
Regret and condolences were the keynotes of the Prime Minister's address:
"That war caused great torment and sorrow not only to Japanese nationals but also to other peoples, particularly neighboring Asian countries.
"It behooves us Japanese to establish lasting peace and prevent all wars."

The Economic Strategy Committee, recently formed as an advisory organ to Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, met for the first time at the Prime Minister's official residence and decided to issue a set of recommendations by the end of 1998.
Obuchi asked the committee to envision a recovered Japanese economy and help build a wealthy, healthy society in the 21st century.
"To overcome the present critical conditions of our economy," Obuchi said, "my Government expects to tap the wisdom of business leaders and economists. You will help me make decisions promptly."

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi had an unofficial meeting at his official residence with President Hassan Gouled Aptidon of the Republic of Djibouti in northeastern Africa. Also at the meeting were Deputy Cabinet Secretary Muneo Suzuki and Ambassador to France Koichiro Matsuura.
President Gouled then met Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura to discuss world issues.

Upon completion of their UN peacekeeping mission, the 5th Japanese PKO expedition to the Golan Heights, in the Middle East, returned home and immediately called on Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi at his official residence.
Obuchi welcomed them home and said:
"Japanese peacekeepers there have played an important role to support the Israeli-Syrian peace talks --- a key to the prospects of lasting peace in the Middle East. You all have worked hard ."

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi visited two prefectures north of Tokyo hit by a torrential rain spell and walked through areas in distress. After viewing damage from landslides in Shirakawa and Saigo in Fukushima Prefecture, Obuchi traveled to the flooded cities of Nasu and Kuroiso in Tochigi Prefecture.
At shelters for evacuees, Obuchi heard stories of the damage that local residents suffered and cheered them up.
In press meetings he held on the road, Obuchi said the Government would help the best way it could. Obuchi will apply the relevant laws to prepare a relief budget, aid the needy and reconstruct the damaged homes and facilities, he said.