U.S. secretary of state arrives in Japan on inaugural visit

Source: Xinhua | 02-17-2009 08:15

TOKYO, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived Monday in Tokyo on an inaugural overseas trip.

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton departs Andrews Air Force Base for her first official trip to  Asia on Feb. 15, 2009.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

"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 shortly after her arrival at Tokyo's Haneda airport.

"By strengthening our historic Asia alliances, starting right here in Japan, we can begin to build networks around the world to solve problems that none of us can solve alone," she said.

"The U.S.-Japanese alliance is vitally important to both of our countries, to the Asia-Pacific region, and to the world," she added.

During her three-day visit to Japan, Clinton will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on various issues such as the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. alliance and the ongoing economic crisis as well as issues concerning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Middle East.