Japan on Feb. 6 welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's decision to visit from Feb. 16 to 18, the first stop on her maiden trip overseas as the top U.S. diplomat.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton attends a news conference Feb. 5 at the State Department in Washington. AP PHOTO

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

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

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

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

"What is important is to further strengthen the bilateral alliance through the talks," Nakasone said. "Through high-level discussions between the United States and Japan, the world's No. 1 and No. 2 economies, this will be an opportunity for us to contribute to resolving the global economic crisis."

Nakasone said he plans to convey Japan's positions on the North Korean nuclear and missile threats, and discuss with Clinton how to step up anti-terrorism support and humanitarian aid in areas that include Gaza, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Separately, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura stressed that Japan will seek to share "common awareness" with Clinton on the unresolved abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents.

The Weekly will have special coverage of Clinton's visit to Japan in next week's issue.