U.S. President Barack Obama began his eight-day tour of Asia on Thursday in Japan.
According to Voice of America, Obama will visit four Asian nations -- Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines -- and emphasize that America is committed to "rebalancing" in the Pacific.
The president met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo upon arrival. Japan is currently disputing with Beijing over a cluster of unoccupied islands in the East China Sea, VOA said.
Before his visit, Obama told Japanese newspaper Yomiuri that the U.S. "any unilateral attempts to undermine Japan's administration of these islands" and mentioned the islands are part of a treaty that requires the U.S. to defend Japan if attacked.
After Tokyo, the president's itinerary includes Seoul, where he will speak with South Korean President Park Geun-hye about dealing with North Korea.
Last month, Pyongyang announced it was preparing for a "new form" of a nuclear test, and South Korea said on Tuesday it picked up increased activity in the North's nuclear test site.
Next up will be Malaysia, which has not been visited by a U.S. president since Lyndon Johnson in 1966. Obama will hold talks with Prime Minister Najib Razak and attend a state dinner.
The last stop will be in the Phillipines. According to VOA, they are also involved in an issue with China over territory and have extended their military cooperation with the U.S. as a result.
Since being elected into office in 2009, this will be Obama's fifth trip to Asia.
