Clinton invites Japanese prime minister to be first guest at Obama White House

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso will visit President
Barack Obama next week, making him the first foreign leader to visit
the Obama White House, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
announced Tuesday.
Clinton told a news conference that Aso has been invited to the White House on Feb. 24.
Japan's Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said Aso has accepted the invitation.
The invitation was a coup for Tokyo, which wants to solidify its
importance with the new administration as the United States' most
important Asian ally. Japanese officials have expressed their
satisfaction that Clinton chose Japan as her initial stop on her first
overseas trip since becoming Obama's chief diplomat. Clinton will also
visit Indonesia, South Korea and China.