Prime Minister Rudd will visit Japan on Tuesday 15 December on his way to Copenhagen to attend the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In Japan, the Prime Minister will meet Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama and address a senior business audience on the Australian economy.
Japan is Australia's largest export market and a major investor in Australia.
The Australia-Japan economic relationship has brought great benefits to both countries over many decades.
The Prime Minister's visit will underline the Government's commitment to strengthening economic and trade ties between Australia and Japan.
The Prime Minister will use his meeting with Prime Minister Hatoyama to discuss approaches to the Copenhagen climate change meeting; to further develop our security cooperation; to discuss shared interests in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament; and other matters of mutual interest.