US secretary of state arrives in Japan on inaugural visit

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-17 09:33

TOKYO -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived Monday in Tokyo on an inaugural overseas trip.

"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.

US secretary of state arrives in Japan on inaugural visit

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) shakes hands with Japan's Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone, at the start of their talks at the Iikura Guest House in Tokyo February 17, 2009. [Agencies]

"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 US-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-US alliance and the ongoing economic crisis as well as issues concerning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Middle East.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) is led by Shinto priests as she visits the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo February 17, 2009. [Agencies]

"Secretary of State Clinton has said Japan is the cornerstone of United States' Asia-Pacific relations. We understand she demonstrated this by choosing Japan as her first overseas destination. We are very pleased to receive the Secretary of State," said Yasuhisa Kawamura, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official.

"On our front, we would like to confirm that the Japan-United States alliance continues to function as the key to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region, in particular, to deal with the remaining uncertainties in the region," he told a press conference right before Hillary Clinton's arrival.

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