President Arroyo leaves Manila on Wednesday for a 10-day journey in Japan and Brazil to seek job-generating investments for the country and promote the welfare of Filipino workers.

The President, accompanied by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, will embark on a "mission of economict trade and development" initially in Tokyo, Japan where she will stay until June 20, according to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

Remonde said the President faces a hectic schedule in Tokyo highlighted by a flurry of meetings with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, Prime Minister Taro Aso, businessmen, and the Filipino community.

He said the President will check the development on the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, including possibly the hiring of more Filipino health workers, during her meeting with government leaders.

The President begins her busy engagements in Tokyo on Thursday in an audience with the royal couple at the Imperial Palace at 10:30 am. From the Palace, the President is expected to make another pitch for investments in the Philippines during her luncheon meeting with the Executive Committee of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its headquarters in Tokyo.

Remonde said the President will also meet with another group of Japanese businessmen, including MEITI minister Toshihiro Nikai and JICA President Sadako Ogata. Another meeting with members of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship League is also scheduled at the same hotel.

On the same day, the President will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Taro Aso at the Kantei, or the Prime Minister's office. The two leaders are expected to deliver their separate statements after their meeting.

The Prime MInister is expected to host an official dinner for the Philippine leader and her party on Thursday night.

On Friday, the President will speak before a forum organized by the International Friendship Exchange Council of Japan, EC Japan-ASEAN Economic and Cultural Exchange committee, and Asian Itnernational Exchange System.

By lunch, she is expected to tackle the recently approved trade agreement between Manila and Tokyo during her meeting with the Philippine-Japan Economic Cooperation committee and Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee at the same hotel. On Friday night, she will meet with members of the Filipino community at the Hotel Mariners Court.

On Saturday, the President will visit AOTS Language Training Facility for Filpino nurses and caregivers and visit the Seibu Department store that showcases Philippine food products.

From Japan, the President takes a long flight to Brazil via SAn Francisco, California, USA for a state visit from June 22 to 25 upon the invitation of the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

But she will take a respite from work on Sunday in Cartegena, Brazil before her meetings with the Brazilian President, senators, congressmen, and members of the judiciary on Monday.

Mrs. Arroyo has also managed to squeeze a tour at the Christ the Redeemer, a statue of Jesus Christ atop the Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, in her visit.

On Tuesday, the President will also visit the Port of Suape and inspect its facilities.Afterwards, the President will travel to Brasilia where she will be given state visit arrival honors at the airport.

She will also meet with a number of filipino workers in the town at the Hotel Brasilia Alvorada Park hotel before she rests for the night.

On Wednesday, the President will go to Palacio de Itamaraty for a meeting with Brazilian Preesident. A state luncheon for the President and her party will follow at the Palace.

From the Palace, the President will visit the Federal Senatte of Brazil at the National Congress Building and meet its leaders. She will proceed to the Federal Chamber of Deputies of the National Congress Biulding and meet with Speaker Michel Terner.

From Congress, she will visit the Federal Supreme Court and hold a brief meeting with Chief Justice Gilmar Mendes and other members of the tribunal. She will be presented a copy of the constitution of the corte tribunal, medal of the corte tribunal, and illustrated book on the corte tribunal.

The President will then fly to nearby Rio De Janeiro and rest for the night.

On Thursday, June 25, the President will tour the Corcovado Mountain (Christ the Redeemer) and then hold a series of buiness calls before she leaves for Manila via Hong Kong. She is expected to return home on June 27.