US defense chief prepares for Asia trip

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will visit Japan days before landing in China later this month, as the two Asian countries continue to feud over territorial rights to the Diaoyu Islands.

Although the islands are important for the US strategic "pivot" to the Asia-Pacific region and to maintain the country's dominant role in international affairs, Panetta is likely to work with Tokyo on controlling the strained situation instead of delivering more support to Japan, analysts said.

According to NHK, or Japan Broadcasting Corp, Panetta is scheduled to meet his Japanese counterpart Satoshi Morimoto and Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba on Monday. He is also expected to meet Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.