Ida Mae Astute/ABCArriving in Tokyo ahead of her performance at a benefit for Japanese earthquake relief, Lady Gaga told reporters that she wants to encourage everyone to come visit the disaster-ravaged country.  According to the Wall Street Journal, Gaga said, "I would like to use my position here today and all week long to run around Tokyo and enjoy the beautiful city...and scream at the top of my lungs that everyone should come and visit this beautiful place. This is one of my most favorite places on Earth.”

Japan's tourism industry has suffered following the earthquake and subsequent nuclear disaster earlier this year. Continuing her focus on that theme, Gaga said at a Thursday press conference that it is "important that we remind the world that Japan is now safe, that the doors are wide open for tourists from all over the world to come in and enjoy the beautiful country."

During the press conference, Gaga carried a teacup onstage and sipped from it throughout, according to the Wall Street Journal.  The lipstick-stained cup will be auctioned off, according to the paper, with proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross' March 11 disaster relief fund.

On Saturday, Gaga will appear on MTV Video Music Aid Japan, which will be broadcast live to 30 million households all across Asia.  The fans vote on the winners, and for every fan vote, MTV will donate about 12 cents to the Japanese Red Cross.

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