Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on Thursday restated his determination to strengthen the Japan-U.S. relationship by quickly pushing through bills related to updated Japan-U.S. defense cooperation during the current Diet session.

The government is set to explain the guideline bills before the Lower House today, paving the way for full-scale debate on the issue.

In a media event at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, Obuchi said he hopes to hold candid discussions with U.S. President Bill Clinton when he makes an official visit to Washington in May, and that Japan's steel exports to the U.S., which sharply increased last year, will not cause a serious trade dispute between the two nations.

Concerning the nation's economy, Obuchi expressed confidence that Japan's economic growth can achieve 0.5 percent growth in the next fiscal year, beginning April, without additional economic measures.

Stressing the significance of the Japan-U.S. cooperation, Obuchi expressed hope that the guideline-related bills will be approved by the Diet as early as possible to maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

On the Japan-U.S. trade relationship, Obuchi expressed optimistic views and said that the current trade imbalance between the two nations will not be a serious headache in the near future.

In reference to steel exports to the U.S., Obuchi said the increase was due to expansion of the overall U.S. economy, and noted that Japan's steel exports to the U.S. have declined since October.

With the U.S. trade deficit hitting a record high for 1998, steel has come to symbolize the growing trade friction between the two countries. "Since the pace (of the increase) has significantly subsided, I think we can explain this situation very well to the U.S.," he said.

On the domestic economic front, the prime minister said that a series of economic measures, which have been launched since last year, and the fiscal 1999 budget, are fully aimed at stimulating the economy. He indicated that additional measures are not on his mind at present. "We are implementing all the measures we can. So, I'm sure that Japan's economic growth for fiscal 1999 will reach 0.5 percent," Obuchi said.

Speaking about the possibility of reshuffling his Cabinet and his Liberal Democratic Party's executive posts, Obuchi said that he has no such plans since there are mounting tasks that both bodies must tackle.