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Speaking at the opening of the 19th Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Japan Business Co-operation Committee and Japan/Hong Kong Business Co-operation Committee, Mr Patten said Japan had a big investment in Hong Kong and was one of our most important trading partners.
He said: "I think you recognise that Hong Kong is the best bridge between China and the rest of the world. Hong Kong's continuing success is important to the prosperity and stability of the whole region.
"So I hope you will continue to take an interest in our welfare and express that interest to Chinese officials and Chinese businessmen," he said.
The Governor added that it was also massively in China's interests that Hong Kong should do well under Chinese sovereignty.
"We are not just talking about money, investment, face, Taiwan. I challenge anybody to think of a single big problem that China faces today that won't be easier to tackle if Hong Kong goes well and more difficult if the reverse happens," Mr Patten said during his first day of public activities in Japan.
In the morning, the Governor paid a visit to the Chairman of Keidanren, Mr Shoichiro Toyoda. Keidanren, the Japan Federation of Economic Organisations, is an organisation of the most influential businessmen in Japan.
Mr Patten later paid a courtesy call on the Hon Soichiro Ito, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and attended a lunch hosted by Mr Tomiichi Akiyama, Chairman of the Japan/Hong Kong Business Co-operation Committee.
In the evening, the Governor and Mrs Patten attended a dinner hosted by Mr Sadayuki Hayashi, the Administrative Vice Minister of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Governor will continue his activities in Tokyo tomorrow (Thursday) and on Friday before going to Osaka and Kyoto. He will return to Hong Kong on Sunday (December 1).
He is visiting Japan to further foster the close economic and trade relationship between Hong Kong and Japan. He will brief ministers, parliamentarians and senior officials of the Japanese Government on the latest developments in Hong Kong and exchange views with them on matters of mutual interest during his stay.
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