U.S. first lady arrives in Tokyo on tour to promote girls' education
Before heading to Cambodia on Friday, the wife of U.S. President Barack Obama is set to talk about Japan-U.S. cooperation in advancing the international initiative with Akie Abe, wife of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. This "first lady diplomacy" comes ahead of the Japanese prime minister's planned visit to the United States during the holiday-studded Golden Week from late April through early May in Japan. On Thursday, Obama and Abe are to participate in a bilateral function in Tokyo and deliver remarks before an audience of female university students on the importance of supporting education for girls in developing countries. On Friday, Obama will tour the ancient capital city of Kyoto, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kiyomizu temple, and Fushimi Inari Taisha, a Shinto shrine. She will leave for Cambodia the same day. During her stay in Tokyo, Obama is also scheduled to meet with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. Obama, a lawyer, is heavily involved in education and human rights issues. Earlier this month she and her husband launched a campaign named "Let Girls Learn" to promote girls' education through work by the U.S. Peace Corps and counterpart organizations. The Japanese and U.S. governments arranged for Obama's trip after she did not accompany her husband on his state visit to Japan in April last year due to their daughters' school obligations. Source: Kyodo
