Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin this week became the first Israeli head of state to visit Japan and South Korea.
Accompanied by Israeli business leaders, Rabin arrived in Japan on Monday for two days of meetings that included the signing of new cooperative agreements in cultural affairs and science.
During his visit, Rabin met with the Japanese imperial family and with government officials and business leaders.
At a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, Rabin said Israel and Japan were opening a new page in their relations.
Japan, heavily dependent on oil from Arab countries and therefore sensitive to the Arab boycott, traditionally maintained a cool attitude toward Israel. But that posture has changed as the Middle East peace process slowly has advanced over the past year.
During his discussions with Murayama about the peace process, Rabin emphasized the need for Japanese investment in Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.
While Rabin was in Japan, the Tokyo government announced it would allow Japanese companies to invest in the Tel Aviv stock exchange.
The decision came after more than a year of negotiations. Israeli officials consider the decision an important step toward tightening their relations with Tokyo.
Rabin, accompanied by the Israeli economic delegation, traveled on to South Korea on Wednesday for meetings also aimed at encouraging increased investment in Israel.
The two countries were scheduled to sign agreements on establishing direct Tel Aviv-Seoul air links, cultural exchanges and cooperative ventures in agricultural technology.
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