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                      Obama Departs for 8 Day Tour of Asia

   U.S. President Barack Obama has left for a four-nation tour of Asia,
   where he will try to convince allies that Washington is committed to
   its "rebalancing" in the Pacific.
   Security concerns over China`s territorial claims and North Korea`s
   nuclear program will be a major focus of Mr. Obama`s trip, which
   include stops in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
   The eight-day tour begins in Tokyo late Wednesday with a meeting with
   Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Japan is embroiled in a growing dispute with
   Beijing over a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.
   Ahead of his visit, Mr. Obama told Japan`s Yomiuri newspaper the United
   States opposes "any unilateral attempts to undermine Japan`s
   administration of these islands." He also stressed the islands fall
   under a treaty that requires the U.S. to defend Japan if attacked.
   Mr. Obama will also try to make progress with Japan on the long-delayed
   Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal. But many say Japan`s
   reluctance to drop tariffs on agricultural products makes chances of a
   breakthrough slim.
   From Tokyo, President Obama will head to Seoul, where he will talk with
   South Korean President Park Geun-hye about how to deal with North
   Korea, which some believe is preparing to conduct another nuclear test.
   The South said Tuesday it detected increased activity at North Korea`s
   nuclear test site. Pyongyang warned last month it was preparing for a
   "new form" of nuclear test.
   In Malaysia, Mr. Obama will hold talks and attend a state dinner with
   Prime Minister Najib Razak. He will be the first sitting U.S. president
   to visit Malaysia since Lyndon Johnson traveled there in 1966.
   Mr. Obama`s last stop will be the Philippines, which is also involved
   in a territorial standoff with China and has deepened its military
   cooperation with Washington as a result.
   This is Mr. Obama`s fifth visit to Asia since assuming office in 2009.
   He has promised to make the Pacific region a greater economic,
   diplomatic, and military priority for the United States.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-departs-for-8-day-tour-of-asia/1899110.html