The Japanese prime minister, Keizo Obuchi, who is on the final leg of a Southeast Asian tour, has arrived in Thailand for a two-day visit.

Officials said it was aimed at enhancing cooperation and finding ways of putting Asia's economic recovery on a more solid, long-term footing.

Mr Obuchi was due to start the visit with talks with his Thai counterpart, Chuan Leekpai.

The two were expected to discuss ways of boosting Japanese investment in Thailand which fell during the Asian economic crisis.

Since the crisis broke in 1997, Japan has slipped from its position of primary foreign investor in Thailand. Officials said Mr Obuchi also wanted to hear Thailand' s views ahead of a summit of G-8 economic powers which Japan is hosting in July.

Mr Obuchi has said he hopes the summit will enable Tokyo to press the case for Asia in the global economy.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service