B of A confirmed that it sought Japanese help.

The San Francisco banking company said that Vice Chairman Frank N. Newman, during a trip to Tokyo last week, asked Japanese commercial banks to buy $350 million in new BankAmerica securities to help it rebuild its capital base. The Japanese are said to be studying the request, but sources in Tokyo said it is likely that the banks eventually will agree to support the U.S. institution. BankAmerica is seeking to shore up its capital after announcing a $1-billion loss related to Third World loans.