Obama opens Japan visit with the alliance under strain

Tokyo: US President Barack Obama is aiming to shore up relations with a new Japanese government vowing to be more assertive with its US ally, even as he grapples with sending more US troops to Afghanistan.

While public remarks from Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama are expected to stress their countries' enduring alliance, Obama's visit comes at a time of uncertainty in relations. Hatoyama has promised to end Japan's Indian Ocean refueling mission that supports US-led forces in Afghanistan and to review an agreement on relocating American troops in Japan that Washington thought was settled three years ago.

Obama arrived at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Friday beginning a four-nation Asia trip, his first to the region as president.