by Peter Nicholas
TOKYO -- President Obama has touched down in Tokyo, the first stop on a week-long trip to Asia in which he will try to expand markets for U.S. exports and reestablish America's role as a leader in the Pacific Rim.
Obama left Washington on Thursday for the flight to Tokyo, which included a brief detour in Anchorage, Alaska, to greet troops at Elmendorf Air Force Base.
In addition to Japan, the president will visit Singapore, South Korea and China before flying home on Nov. 19.
Obama won't get much rest. Following his arrival in Tokyo he was to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama for more than an hour. The two would discuss the global economy, trade, climate change, and the war in Afghanistan, among other issues.
Afterward, they were to hold a news conference and then attend a working dinner at Kantei, Japan's equivalent of the White House.
On Saturday, Obama is to give a major speech laying out his Asia policy before an audience of Japanese leaders and ordinary citizens alike.
A sticking point is the future of the Marine base on Okinawa. The island's residents see the base as an intrusive presence and want it evicted. For its part, the U.S. is pressing Japan to abide by a 2006 agreement in which the base would be moved to a more sparsely populated section of Okinawa.
A senior Obama administration official said today that the Marine base would not derail the talks, describing the issue as only a "subset'' of a complex and important U.S.-Japanese alliance.
Hatoyama heads a new Japanese government that is rethinking its relationship with Washington. His party has voiced unhappiness over what it sees as Washington's dominant status in the alliance.
The senior Obama administration official, briefing reporters before Obama's arrival, said the U.S. sees Japan as an equal. He said Obama has expressed the view that "we don't look to Japan as a junior partner. We look to Japan as an important partner, as an essential partner.''
Comments
With his low performace rating here in America, wonder if the trip will up his creditibilty the Middle East speech, didn't seem to boost him.
Posted by: Inky | November 13, 2009 8:58 AM
How can the MSM be called the Liberal Media if you are going to fail to report the FACT that since AT LEAST 1991 the health plan provided by Cigna for the RNC has allowed benefits for abortions? Another case of Republican hypocrisy!!!!
Posted by: janet | November 13, 2009 11:36 AM
Right on Inky.
Hopefully if he has some sushi over there he won't regurgitate all over himself and the Japanese PM, like Bush's daddy did. That was amusing though.
You are incorrect about his Middle East speech however.
Posted by: Doug R. | November 13, 2009 11:56 AM
Posted by: Inky | November 13, 2009 8:58 AM
Wah Wah Inky. Obama has 3 more years to go so hold your breath ok. Oh and by the way how does it feel to know your contributions to the RNC helped fund abortions for their employees?
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | November 13, 2009 12:00 PM
BO had to bite his tounge and not apologize for America nuking Japan 64 years ago.
Posted by: Terry | November 13, 2009 10:29 PM
For a flavour of the US Military Base issue, here's an interesting ground level view of old wounds in Okinawa - the sort of thing that must be addressed for progress...
http://www.counterpunch.com/mitchell11132009.html
Posted by: henry | November 14, 2009 10:00 AM