SOUTH African President Thabo Mbeki arrived in Japan on Monday on a three-day state visit that includes talks with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Mbeki arrived at Tokyo’s Narita international airport on a government plane, accompanied by several ministers including those of foreign affairs and trade, a Japanese foreign ministry official said. The president is scheduled to hold talks with Koizumi later in the day, and the two leaders are expected to discuss the New African Initiative, the rescue plan drafted by African countries to help the continent. He will meet Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace on Tuesday, the ministry official said. The visit is aimed at boosting trade and bilateral ties, South African officials said last week. Total trade last year amounted to $3,5-billion. – AFP