Obama to host first foreign leader

US President Barack Obama will be hosting Japanese Premier Taro Aso on Tuesday, the first foreign leader to visit him after his inauguration on January 20.

Aso-Obama meeting will likely focus on financial and economic issues, the Fox News said.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is currently on her first official trip abroad, had given Obama's invitation to Aso on her stop at Japan.

The sit-down is seen as a move to relieve concerns in Japan that the United States is overlooking its longtime ally in light of China's rapid growth.

Clinton also stressed on the importance of strengthening the bilateral alliance during her visit to Japan.

After Aso, British Premier Gordon Brown will be the next leader to meet Obama on March 3.

First Published: Feb 22, 2009 16:32 IST