President Hugo Chavez said in Tokyo on Sunday that he will employ the visit to seek Japan's investment in Venezuela, promote energy cooperation and establish a strategic alliance between the two countries.

Chavez, whose remarks were carried by Venezuelan state television, is on a three-day state visit to Japan.
He said that the Venezuelan government planed to ink seven agreements on Monday with Japan, including deals on oil, natural gas and petrochemical projects.

Japan wants to diversify its sources of energy and Venezuela also wants to diversify its markets, "So we have a strong point in common," said the Venezuelan president, Xinhua reported.

According to the President's Office, Chavez met on Sunday with Japanese businessmen interested in investing in oil production in his country.
He added that one of the agreements will pave the way for Japanese companies to join as minor shareholders to cooperate with sate-owned Petroleos de Venezuela to produce crude in the Orinoco River basin in the country.

Chavez is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on Monday.

Venezuela has been hit by a fall in oil income and is seeking foreign investment in its oil industry. In March, Venezuela and Japan signed an agreement on joint exploration of natural gas and oil fields in Venezuela.