Transport minister Chikage Ogi said Tuesday she will visit Beijing from Aug. 3 to 6 to promote Japan's bullet train system for a planned high-speed railway between Beijing and Shanghai.
Ogi said she plans to impress upon Chinese leaders the technological advantage of the shinkansen system, but added that her meeting schedule is still being arranged.
China plans to inaugurate the express rail service before the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Construction of the line is thus expected to start early next year.
To promote tourism in both countries, Ogi also said she will brief China's leaders on Japan's ongoing efforts to double the number of foreign tourists by 2010.