By Tova Cohen
TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmerttravels to Japan on Sunday in a bid to bolster economic tiesand attract investment, and to discuss his peace efforts withthe Palestinians and Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Olmert is also expected to meet U.S. Secretary of StateCondoleezza Rice, who is visiting Japan next week, to updateher on the peace talks and growing tensions between Israel andthe Gaza Strip's Hamas rulers, Israeli officials said.
Twenty Israeli business leaders from sectors such ashigh-tech, the environment and diamonds will accompany Olmerton his first trip to Japan as prime minister.
Imports from Japan jumped to $1.88 billion (955 millionpounds) last year after four years of rapid economic growth inIsrael, but exports, $776 million in 2007, have remained flatand there has been little investment from the Asian powerhouse.
"We had $10 billion in foreign investment last year andalmost none of it was from Japan," said Shraga Brosh, head ofthe Manufacturers Association trade group.
Brosh, who will lead the group accompanying Olmert, saidlack of awareness of Israel's potential, rather than politicalissues, were behind the low level of Japanese investment.
Dan Catarivas, head of foreign trade and internationalrelations at the Israeli Manufacturers Association, said Israelwould seek a comprehensive economic partnership agreement withJapan as well as cooperation in research and development.
In meetings with his Japanese counterpart Yasuo Fukuda,Olmert will also discuss North Korean technology exports to theMiddle East and the rockets fired at Israel from theHamas-governed Gaza Strip, an Israeli official said.
Olmert, who has said Iran is still trying to build nuclearweapons, will brief Japanese leaders on Israel's call for widerinternational diplomatic and economic pressure on Tehran tohalt its uranium enrichment programme.
Iran says it wants uranium only for electricity production.
Olmert will also brief his hosts on his peace talks withthe Palestinians, launched in Annapolis, Maryland, in November.
(editing by Tim Pearce)
