Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi instructed Japan's ambassadors to 24 Asia-Pacific nations Friday to gather opinions from the leaders of their assigned countries regarding the Group of Eight summit to be hosted by Japan in July, a Foreign Ministry official said.

The ambassadors visited Obuchi while wrapping up their annual four-day meeting in Tokyo, the official told reporters.

Obuchi also told the envoys to convey his message to the Asia-Pacific leaders that he intends to "continue to build up personal ties of trust with them ... to cement Japan's commitments in serving as a close friend."

During the four-day meeting, held to discuss Japan's policies toward the region, the ambassadors agreed on the need to reflect Asia's viewpoints at the G8 summit, the official said.

Participants included Japan's ambassadors to 18 Asian countries, the United States and Canada, as well as four other Pacific states. They focused on a wide range of topics, including security and economic issues in Asia and measures to enhance regional cooperation.

Regarding the Okinawa summit, the envoys emphasized the need to boost cultural exchanges with other Asian countries so their viewpoints may be represented at the gathering, the official said.

Several summit themes were proposed, including development, fighting poverty and creating social safety nets in response to rapid economic globalization.

The ambassadors agreed to continue to listen to requests from their host countries regarding the summit.

The ambassadors also agreed that Japan's economic assistance to Asian economies following the region's financial and economic crisis in 1997 was highly appreciated.

They reported that Tokyo's new Asian policy focus, which includes enhanced human resource development programs for Asians, has been widely welcomed in their host countries, the official added.

The ambassadors also underlined the need to follow up by sending more missions to Asian countries to further assess their needs.