U.S. President Barack Obama expressed Saturday in Tokyo his firm intention to build strong ties with Asia while stressing that the alliance with Japan lies at the center of his policy for the region.
But Obama also made it clear he will focus on strengthening ties with China — a bilateral relationship that is often a source of concern in Japan — and encouraged Beijing to play a greater role in the international community.
On the last day of his two-day stay in Tokyo, Obama for the first time gave a comprehensive overview of his Asia policy at Suntory Hall in Minato Ward.