Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau will visit Tokyo February 28 to March 2 to promote stronger ties in the creative industry, tourism and business sectors.

Mrs Lau will visit leading design houses and have exchanges with prominent designers in various fields of the design realm including industrial design, fashion and lifestyle products.

Japan is the partner country for Hong Kong's Business of Design Week 2010, which will highlight this year the country's experience in brand building, creativity and innovation, architecture and design, art and cultural development, and pop culture.

On March 1 Mrs Lau will officiate at the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Tokyo's spring reception to meet major local interlocutors and update them on the economic developments and business environment in Hong Kong.

The reception also marks the successful completion of the Hong Kong-Japan Tourism Exchange Year which aims to promote two-way tourism and enhance cultural exchange.