Clinton arrives in Japan on 1st trip abroad to engage Asia+

TOKYO, Feb. 16 Kyodo - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Japan on Monday evening, kicking off her first overseas visit as the top U.S. diplomat to demonstrate a new U.S. commitment to engage more closely with Asian partners on global issues
ranging from the financial crisis to climate change.

''I have come to Asia as my first trip as secretary of state to convey that
America's relationships across the Pacific are indispensable to addressing the
challenges and seizing the opportunities of the 21st century,'' Clinton told
reporters upon arrival at Tokyo's Haneda airport.
In meetings with Japanese leaders on Tuesday, Clinton will be tasked with
reassuring Japan of the importance that Washington places on the alliance while
seeking a greater role for its key Asian ally in sharing responsibilities such
as addressing economic challenges and security contributions.
''The U.S.-Japanese alliance is vitally important to both of our countries, to
the Asia-Pacific region, and to the world,'' Clinton said.
North Korea's nuclear issues and Afghan reconstruction are also expected to be
among the top agenda items as Clinton meets with Foreign Minister Hirofumi
Nakasone, Prime Minister Taro Aso, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and
opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa of the Democratic Party of Japan.
She will sign with Nakasone a new accord on the relocation of 8,000 U.S.
Marines from Okinawa to Guam which would commit both sides to realizing an
earlier-agreed-on road map by 2014.
The secretary of state has scheduled a meeting with the families of missing
Japanese citizens who were abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, in a
bid to show the new U.S. administration will not neglect the highly emotional
issue in Japan.
After her stay in Tokyo, which will also include a visit to Meiji Jingu shrine
and a meeting with students at the University of Tokyo, Clinton will travel on
to Indonesia, South Korea and China.
==Kyodo
2009-02-16 22:27:3