New Zealand and Japan have signed four new economic partnerships

Chief political reporter Alex Mason says they cover bio-fuels, artificial intelligence, medical technologies, renewable energy and robotics.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who's in Tokyo, says these will help the transition to a clean economy - and generate jobs.

She says Kiwi and Japanese innovators' work has the potential for significant global impact.

Ardern say our two-way trade with Japan was valued at 8.8 billion dollars for the year ended June, and we have many long-term strategic partnerships.