Japan stuck to its plans for economic stimulus in the face of pressure from the world's major nations for quick reform. Prime Minister Mr Ryutaro Hashimoto instructed his party's chief policymaker to go to Washington to explain the significance of his latest 16 trillion yen (£88 billion) stimulus spending plan.

Hashimoto's chief policymaker, Mr Taku Yamasaki, quoted the premier as telling him the United States had "not gained a full understanding" of the package, which is based on four trillion yen in tax cuts.