Barack Obama, Japan | featured news

When Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets with President Obama on Friday, he will be seeking to press not one but three reset buttons. The United States has a big stake in at least two of his goals — and it’s within Obama’s power to help realize them.

President Barack Obama urged Asian leaders on Tuesday to rein in tensions in the South China Sea and other disputed territory, but stopped short of firmly backing allies Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam in their disputes with China.

President Obama says the U.S. will 'offer any assistance' to Japan after Friday's earthquake and tsunami. The president spoke from a Virginia school, where he called on Congress to reauthorize 'No Child Left Behind' and urged education spending.

Let it be known without apology: Barack Obama is not above the bow. He dipped his head all through Asia -- greeting Japan's Emperor with a deep bend at the waist, nodding to Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on a Beijing tarmac, even bobbing forward in gratitude before his tour guide at the Courtyard of Loyal Obedience in the Forbidden City.

U.S. President Barack Obama headed into talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Friday in which he will likely try to smooth strained ties as the allies adjust to a rising China.