LEAD: Japan welcomes Clinton visit Feb. 16-18 as 1st stop on Asia tour

Japan Policy & Politics, Feb 10, 2009

TOKYO, Feb. 6 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING ASO'S COMMENT IN 4TH GRAF, CHANGING WORDING IN 9TH GRAF)

Japanese government officials on Friday welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's decision to visit Japan on Feb. 16-18 as the first stop on her maiden trip overseas as the top U.S. diplomat.

Clinton's trip will also take her to Indonesia, South Korea and China.

''Japan being the first stop reflects the importance (President Barack Obama's administration) places on the Japan-U.S. alliance and carries great significance,'' Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said at a morning news conference.

In addition to holding talks with her Japanese counterpart Nakasone, Clinton will meet Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Aso told reporters in the evening, ''What we need to discuss is what the world's No. 1 and No. 2 economies should do together amid the economic crisis -- first to avoid the immediate crisis and then how to build a new global order following the crisis.''

Nakasone said he expects to discuss a range of issues with Clinton, including the global financial crisis, the North Korean nuclear issue, Pyongyang's abductions of Japanese nationals, climate change and global security.

''What is important is to further strengthen the bilateral alliance through the talks,'' Nakasone said.

The Japanese foreign minister said he plans to convey Japan's positions on the North Korean nuclear and missile issues, and to discuss with Clinton how to step up antiterrorism support and humanitarian assistance in areas such as Gaza, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told a separate news conference, ''We look forward to frank and honest discussions at the foreign ministerial talks on tackling various issues facing the world, securing peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and strengthening the alliance.''

Kawamura emphasized that Japan will seek to reach a ''common understanding'' with the United States on the issue of the unresolved abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents.

In Washington, the State Department said that after visiting Japan, Clinton will travel to Indonesia on Feb. 18-19, South Korea on Feb. 19-20 and China on Feb. 20-22.

Asked why Clinton chose Tokyo as her first stop, State Department Acting Press Secretary Robert Wood said, ''Japan is an important partner and ally to the United States.''

During a Senate hearing in January to consider her nomination for the post of secretary of state, Clinton said she embraces the alliance with Japan as a ''cornerstone'' of U.S. policy in Asia.