Clinton begins Asian trip

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Tokyo, the first leg of a one-week Asian trip to discuss economic, defense and human rights issues.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Tokyo Monday, the first leg of a one-week Asian trip where economic, defense and human rights issues will top the agenda.

Clinton said she plans to press North Korea on Japanese citizens abducted decades ago, meeting with their families in Tokyo along with government officials.

Many Japanese were dismayed when the U.S. dropped Pyongyang from its terrorism blacklist during the previous Bush administration.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have risen recently amid bellicose rhetoric from Pyongyang, and North Korean state media Monday said the country had the right to test launch its longest-range missiles, calling it a cornerstone of a peaceful space program.

Clinton last week offered to normalize relations and give economic assistance to the isolated Stalinist nation if it would abandon a nuclear program.

Separately, Japan hopes Clinton will reassure Tokyo of its role as Washington's closest security ally in Asia, and that the U.S. will not pursue trade protectionism.

Dan Sloan reports.