Hillary Clinton kicks off first overseas trip to Japan

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-16-2009 14:01

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton left for Japan on Sunday, beginning her first trip abroad as President Barack Obama's top diplomat.

Her trip aims to build closer relationships with four major Asian countries -- Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to an audience at the Asia Society in New York February 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Although it is Clinton's first overseas trip to Japan as Secretary of State, she has made a previous official visit to the country.

Back in 1996, she was welcomed to Japan as US First Lady when her husband Bill Clinton was president.

During this visit, she is expected to meet Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone.

One issue that some Japanese are hoping is brought up during Clinton's visit is the DPRK's kidnapping of Japanese citizens.

In 2002, the DPRK acknowledged kidnapping 13 Japanese citizens, allowing five of them to return home but saying the remaining eight had died.

Japan has demanded proof of the deaths and a probe into other suspected kidnapping cases.

Clinton is also expected to discuss a new agreement on realigning US forces in Japan.