Staff writer
For Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, the upcoming meeting of leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Auckland is likely to be a test of his diplomatic capacity to resolve international political issues in East Asia.
Obuchi leaves for Auckland this morning to attend the two-day APEC summit that begins Sunday. During his four-day stay, he is expected to focus on Japan's diplomatic concerns over North Korea and Russia in addition to trade and economic issues in the Asia-Pacific region.