NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell is heading off on a four-day visit to Japan and the Philippines to promote trade and investment opportunities.

Mr O’Farrell leaves Sydney on Sunday and will visit Tokyo and Manila to meet senior government representatives, business leaders and industry and investor groups.

“Japan and the Philippines are important partners in Asia and I will take to both the clear message that NSW is keen to expand our trade and investment links,” Mr O’Farrell said in a statement on Sunday.

“Japan is a major market for NSW resources and agricultural products and the bilateral merchandise trade between us stood at $16 billion last financial year.”

While in Tokyo Mr O’Farrell will meet Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and new Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe.

In Manila the premier will meet Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, who visited Sydney in 2012.

“I welcome the opportunity to show that Australia and NSW are serious about making our education, migration and tourism links with the Philippines even stronger,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“Filipino students make up the eighth-largest contingent of international enrolments in vocational education in NSW and I will be promoting our education services sector during my visit.”