"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.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives at the Haneda Airport of Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 16, 2009. [Ren Zhenglai/Xinhua]

"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.

The top US diplomat and her Japanese counterpart Nakasone are expected to sign a new accord, the so-called International Okinawa Agreement Tuesday on the planned relocation of 8,000 US Marines from Okinawa to Guam.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L1) arrives at the Haneda Airport of Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 16, 2009. [Ren Zhenglai/Xinhua]

They will discuss the bilateral relations, matters confronting the Asia Pacific region and global issues such as the economic crisis, climate change, peace process in the Middle East, United Nations reform and possibly pirates off Somalia coast, said Kawamura.

She will also hold talks with Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), late Tuesday, according to DPJ Diet affairs chief Kenji Yamaoka.

The US secretary of state is scheduled to conclude her first leg of the four-nation Asian tour on Wednesday before traveling to Indonesia, South Korea and China.

Seeking stronger cooperation and mutual support in Asia for the United States is believed to be a key mission of her Asian tour.

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2009)