Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on October 29 pledged to further promote the growth of Japan's economy, which is showing signs of improvement, by continuing flexible fiscal and financial policies.

　 "The economy still remains in a severe situation, but is continuing to show moderate improvement," Obuchi said in a policy speech at the opening of the 146th extraordinary Diet (parliament) session.

　 "What is important now is to guide the economy onto a full- fledged recovery track, establish a new foundation for development in the 21st century and achieve a rebirth of the economy," Obuchi said.

　 Obuchi, who has pledged to achieve a 0.5 percent growth in the fiscal year ending March 31, said his government will work to boost the economy by compiling a comprehensive stimulus package totaling more than 10 trillion yen (95.2 billion dollars).

　 As the centerpiece of the package, the Japanese government plans to submit a second supplementary budget for fiscal 1999 to the parliament in late November.

　 In the speech, Obuchi also apologized for controversial remarks on nuclear armament made by dismissed Parliamentary Vice Defense Minister Shingo Nishimura, which drew fire from the ruling and opposition camps and upset Japan's Asian neighbors.

　 "I apologize from my heart to the people of the nation as one who appointed him to the post," he said.

　 Nishimura resigned October 20 after coming under heavy criticism for suggesting that Japan should consider arming itself with nuclear weapons.

　 Obuchi reaffirmed Japan's three non-nuclear principles of not producing, possessing or allowing nuclear weapons into the country. "There is no change whatsoever in our policy to adhere to the three non-nuclear principles," he said.

　 In the speech, the Japanese prime minister underscored his plan to push bills aimed at creating a safe society during the 48-day extra session, including those for preventing nuclear disasters and controlling activities of the AUM Shinrikyo religious cult.

　 Obuchi also vowed to make next year's Group of Eight (G-8) summit in Okinawa Prefecture a success, saying he hopes to issue at the summit "a strong message that can make people confident that the 21st century will be a better era for the human race and the earth."