President Obama's Weeklong Asia Tour

Obama visits Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Malaysia.

Welcome to Asia - This week, President Obama toured four Asian countries — Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines — with hopes of strengthening U.S. economic ties in the region. Concern over China's growing power, North Korea's nuclear testing and a new trade agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, involving the U.S. and 11 other countries, will also be discussed. Keep reading for a closer look at Obama's trip. — Patrice Peck(Photo: REUTERS/Toru Hanai)

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Welcome to Asia - This week, President Obama toured four Asian countries — Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines — with hopes of strengthening U.S. economic ties in the region. Concern over China's growing power, North Korea's nuclear testing and a new trade agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, involving the U.S. and 11 other countries, will also be discussed. Keep reading for a closer look at Obama's trip. — Patrice Peck(Photo: REUTERS/Toru Hanai)

Welcome, Mr. President! - On Thursday, April 24, President Obama attended a welcoming ceremony at the imperial Palace in Tokyo.(Photo: AP Photo/Yuya Shino, Pool)

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Welcome, Mr. President! - On Thursday, April 24, President Obama attended a welcoming ceremony at the imperial Palace in Tokyo.(Photo: AP Photo/Yuya Shino, Pool)

Security for Japan - According to officials, the president intends to convince Japan's leaders that he can deliver on the United States's economic and security pledges amid intimidation from China.  (Photo: AP Photo/Ma Ping, Pool)

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Security for Japan - According to officials, the president intends to convince Japan's leaders that he can deliver on the United States's economic and security pledges amid intimidation from China.  (Photo: AP Photo/Ma Ping, Pool)

A Long-Standing Alliance - If Japan is attacked, the U.S. is required to come to its aid, as stipulated in a decades-old alliance that dates back to the end of World War II. (Photo: AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, Pool)

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A Long-Standing Alliance - If Japan is attacked, the U.S. is required to come to its aid, as stipulated in a decades-old alliance that dates back to the end of World War II. (Photo: AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, Pool)

More Peaceful Talks - President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a joint news conference at the Akasaka State Guest House in Tokyo on Thursday, April 24. Demonstrating a delicate balancing act, Obama stressed that he wanted Japan and China to resolve their long-running dispute over a set of Japanese islands peacefully, and also affirmed the United States's mutual security treaty with Japan.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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More Peaceful Talks - President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a joint news conference at the Akasaka State Guest House in Tokyo on Thursday, April 24. Demonstrating a delicate balancing act, Obama stressed that he wanted Japan and China to resolve their long-running dispute over a set of Japanese islands peacefully, and also affirmed the United States's mutual security treaty with Japan.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Close and Friendly - The Meiji Shrine in Tokyo was another stop for the president on Thursday. Here, he is seen placing a prayer tablet on the Votive Tree. While in Japan, President Obama has gone out of his way to portray the U.S.-Japan relationship as friendly and close. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Close and Friendly - The Meiji Shrine in Tokyo was another stop for the president on Thursday. Here, he is seen placing a prayer tablet on the Votive Tree. While in Japan, President Obama has gone out of his way to portray the U.S.-Japan relationship as friendly and close. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Touring With Friends - Chief priest Seitaro Nakajima, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, and her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, also joined the president on his tour of the Meiji Shrine.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Touring With Friends - Chief priest Seitaro Nakajima, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, and her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, also joined the president on his tour of the Meiji Shrine.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Yabusame  - A Yabusame or horseback archery demonstration was also performed during the president's visit to the historic shrine.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Yabusame  - A Yabusame or horseback archery demonstration was also performed during the president's visit to the historic shrine.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

A State Dinner - Later on Thursday, Japanese Emperor Akihito (center) and Empress Michiko (right) welcomed the president at a State Dinner at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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A State Dinner - Later on Thursday, Japanese Emperor Akihito (center) and Empress Michiko (right) welcomed the president at a State Dinner at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Raise Your Glass - President Barack Obama and Emperor Akihito raised their glasses in a toast during the state dinner.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Raise Your Glass - President Barack Obama and Emperor Akihito raised their glasses in a toast during the state dinner.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

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A Walk After Dinner - After the welcome ceremony at the Imperial Palace, President Obama took a walk with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.(Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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A Walk After Dinner - After the welcome ceremony at the Imperial Palace, President Obama took a walk with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.(Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

A Scientific Affair - President Obama and ASIMO, an acronym for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, bow to each other during a youth science event at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, known as the Miraikan, in Tokyo, Thursday, April 24, 2014. Showing solidarity with Japan, Obama affirmed Thursday that the U.S. would be obligated to defend Tokyo in a confrontation with Beijing over a set of disputed islands, but urged all sides to resolve the long-running dispute peacefully. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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A Scientific Affair - President Obama and ASIMO, an acronym for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, bow to each other during a youth science event at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, known as the Miraikan, in Tokyo, Thursday, April 24, 2014. Showing solidarity with Japan, Obama affirmed Thursday that the U.S. would be obligated to defend Tokyo in a confrontation with Beijing over a set of disputed islands, but urged all sides to resolve the long-running dispute peacefully. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Greetings From South Korea - President Obama arrived at the Onsan Airbase on Friday, April 25 in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, for the second stop of his six-day trip. His visit comes after last week's ferry disaster and amid reports of activity at North Korea's nuclear test site.(Photo: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

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Greetings From South Korea - President Obama arrived at the Onsan Airbase on Friday, April 25 in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, for the second stop of his six-day trip. His visit comes after last week's ferry disaster and amid reports of activity at North Korea's nuclear test site.(Photo: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Ancient Seals Returned - President Obama attended a ceremony at the Blue House in Seoul where he returned nine ancient seals to South Korean President Park Geun-hye. The seals had been removed from the country by an American Marine during the Korean War who had found the seals and took them home as mementos. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

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Ancient Seals Returned - President Obama attended a ceremony at the Blue House in Seoul where he returned nine ancient seals to South Korean President Park Geun-hye. The seals had been removed from the country by an American Marine during the Korean War who had found the seals and took them home as mementos. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

Photo By Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo

A Moment of Silence - While meeting with President Park Geun-Hye in the presidential Blue House, President Obama and officials paid a silent tribute for the victims of South Korea's sunken ferry, Sewol. "I am a father of two daughters close to the same age of those who were lost. I can only imagine what those parents are going through," Obama said.(Photo: Jung Yeon - Je-Pool/Getty Images)

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A Moment of Silence - While meeting with President Park Geun-Hye in the presidential Blue House, President Obama and officials paid a silent tribute for the victims of South Korea's sunken ferry, Sewol. "I am a father of two daughters close to the same age of those who were lost. I can only imagine what those parents are going through," Obama said.(Photo: Jung Yeon - Je-Pool/Getty Images)

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Naturalization - The president also spoke at a naturalization ceremony at the National War Memorial on Friday.(Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

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Naturalization - The president also spoke at a naturalization ceremony at the National War Memorial on Friday.(Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

Photo By Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo

Gyeongbok Palace - Dr. Sangmee Park gave the president a tour of Seoul's Gyeongbok Palace. The royal palace was destroyed by Imperial Japan in the early 20th century and continues to undergo restoration.(Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

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Gyeongbok Palace - Dr. Sangmee Park gave the president a tour of Seoul's Gyeongbok Palace. The royal palace was destroyed by Imperial Japan in the early 20th century and continues to undergo restoration.(Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

Photo By Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo

Shoulder to Shoulder - President Park Geun-Hye and President Obama held a joint press conference. Washington stands "shoulder to shoulder" with South Korea in its rejection of a nuclearized North Korea, Obama said. He also added that threats by North Korea will get it "nothing except further isolation" from the global community. (Photo: Song Kyung-Seok - Pool/Getty Images)

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Shoulder to Shoulder - President Park Geun-Hye and President Obama held a joint press conference. Washington stands "shoulder to shoulder" with South Korea in its rejection of a nuclearized North Korea, Obama said. He also added that threats by North Korea will get it "nothing except further isolation" from the global community. (Photo: Song Kyung-Seok - Pool/Getty Images)

Next Stop: Malaysia  - For the third leg of his tour, President Obama visited Malaysia to hold economic and security talks with Prime Minister Najib Razak. The southeast Asian nation plays an important role in the U.S.'s efforts to make deeper ties with the region.(Photo: AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)

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Next Stop: Malaysia  - For the third leg of his tour, President Obama visited Malaysia to hold economic and security talks with Prime Minister Najib Razak. The southeast Asian nation plays an important role in the U.S.'s efforts to make deeper ties with the region.(Photo: AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)

Students Meet the President - President Obama's trip to Malaysia marks the first visit to the nation by a U.S. president in nearly half a century. Here, the president posed for photographs with students visiting the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre in Cyberjaya on Sunday, April 27.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Students Meet the President - President Obama's trip to Malaysia marks the first visit to the nation by a U.S. president in nearly half a century. Here, the president posed for photographs with students visiting the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre in Cyberjaya on Sunday, April 27.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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The Hypoband - While visiting the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre, President Obama met with Geoffrey Tan, the inventor of the Hypoband. The device was designed for diabetic users to help them detect a cold sweat and warn others of the user's need for medical assistance. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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The Hypoband - While visiting the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre, President Obama met with Geoffrey Tan, the inventor of the Hypoband. The device was designed for diabetic users to help them detect a cold sweat and warn others of the user's need for medical assistance. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Town Hall - On Sunday, April 27, the president spoke at a town hall style event at the University of Malaya with participants in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Town Hall - On Sunday, April 27, the president spoke at a town hall style event at the University of Malaya with participants in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Congratulations - President Obama and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak congratulated Christopher G. Townsend, the president of MetLife, Asia (right), and Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Azman Hashim, the chairman of AmBank Group Berhad (left), during a ceremony to sign major commercial agreements with American businesses at the Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, April 28.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Congratulations - President Obama and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak congratulated Christopher G. Townsend, the president of MetLife, Asia (right), and Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Azman Hashim, the chairman of AmBank Group Berhad (left), during a ceremony to sign major commercial agreements with American businesses at the Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, April 28.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Philippines: The Final Destination - President Obama landed in the Philippines, the final stop of his tour, on Monday, April 28. This is the president's first time in the nation.(Photo: AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

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Philippines: The Final Destination - President Obama landed in the Philippines, the final stop of his tour, on Monday, April 28. This is the president's first time in the nation.(Photo: AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Standing at Attention - Before his bilateral meeting with Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, President Obama reviewed the honor guard at Malacanang Palace in Manila.(Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Standing at Attention - Before his bilateral meeting with Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, President Obama reviewed the honor guard at Malacanang Palace in Manila.(Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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The President's Signature - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III stood beside President Obama as he signed a guest book in the Malacanang Palace in Manila on Monday.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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The President's Signature - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III stood beside President Obama as he signed a guest book in the Malacanang Palace in Manila on Monday.(Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

A New Deal - On Monday morning, the U.S. and the Philippines signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, a 10-year pact that will grant American planes, warships and troops more access to the Asian nation. U.S. troops will be rotated through the base, as opposed to an established base. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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A New Deal - On Monday morning, the U.S. and the Philippines signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, a 10-year pact that will grant American planes, warships and troops more access to the Asian nation. U.S. troops will be rotated through the base, as opposed to an established base. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Better Access, More Help - With the U.S. military having greater access to Philippine bases, American troops are able to better help promote regional security, improve armed forces training and shorten response times to humanitarian crises, including natural disasters, Obama said. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Better Access, More Help - With the U.S. military having greater access to Philippine bases, American troops are able to better help promote regional security, improve armed forces training and shorten response times to humanitarian crises, including natural disasters, Obama said. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)