The national flags of Japan and the United States are seen in this file photo. (Mainichi)

       WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- Daniel Kritenbrink, the United States' top diplomat for East Asia, will visit Japan from Sunday for the first time since he assumed his post in September, the State Department said Thursday.

       The assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs is expected to stay in Tokyo through Wednesday and then make a three-day trip to Seoul.

       Kritenbrink is expected to hold talks with senior officials of the two countries on challenges in the Indo-Pacific region posed by North Korea and China.

       He will also "emphasize the importance of bilateral and trilateral cooperation" among the United States, Japan and South Korea "to promote peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond," the State Department said in a statement.

       Kritenbrink was formerly U.S. ambassador to Vietnam and has served in multiple assignments related to Asia, including senior adviser for North Korea policy at the department, senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council and in roles at the U.S. embassies in Tokyo and Beijing.

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