US President Barack Obama will be joined by Secretary of State John Kerry at next week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Bali.
The State Department announced on Thursday that Kerry would fly to Tokyo to join US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel for the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee (SCC) meeting on October 2 and 3.
"The meeting represents the next step in further strengthening the US-Japan alliance, providing an opportunity to build on our already broad and comprehensive bilateral relationship," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said.
Kerry will continue on to Bali on October 4 to lead the State Department's delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meeting and then join Obama for his APEC-related meetings.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will lead Australia's delegation in Bali.
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Under Obama, the US has rebalanced its global focus, moving away from Europe and the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific, where China's dominance has grown.
Obama dubbed the plan the "Pacific Century".
"APEC is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade, and investment in the Asia-Pacific region," Psaki said.
"Promoting trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific remains a key component of the US rebalance policy.
"The secretary will participate in a broad range of multilateral and bilateral meetings with officials from APEC member economies."
