President Barack Obama leaves on Thursday on his first Asian trip since becoming president on January 20.

Issues getting the most attention on the trip will be North Korea, Iran, the economy, climate change, energy, human rights, Afghanistan and Pakistan, said Jeffrey Bader, senior director for East Asian affairs on the National Security Council.

Here is a preliminary itinerary for his trip, according to top aides:

NOV. 12 - Obama leaves Washington, and stops in Alaska to meet with troops at Elmendorf Air Force Base.

November 13-14 - TOKYO

Obama arrives in Tokyo on November 13, and holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at about 7 p.m. local time (5 a.m. EST), followed by a joint press conference.

On November 14, Obama will make a major speech at Suntory Hall in Tokyo at 10 a.m. local time, in which he will discuss his view of U.S. engagement in Asia and reaffirm the strength of Washington's alliance with Japan.

Later in the day, Obama will meet with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

NOV 14-15 - SINGAPORE

Obama travels to Singapore the evening of November 14.

On November 15, he will hold a bilateral meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and then go to the leaders meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

At about 2 p.m. local time the same day, Obama will hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and then hold what the White House says is the first meeting between a U.S. president and all 10 leaders of the 10 Southeast Asian countries that make up ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Finally on November 15, Obama will hold a bilateral meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

November 15-18 - SHANGHAI and BEIJING

Obama travels to Shanghai the evening of November 15.

On Monday, November 16, he will meet with the city's mayor, and then hold an event in which he will have a dialogue with Chinese youth, speaking to them, taking questions and hearing directly from them. He travel to Beijing Monday evening, and will have dinner with President Hu Jintao.

On November 17, Obama will hold a bilateral with Hu, followed by a joint press conference, after which he will sightsee in Beijing. There will be a state dinner that night.

On November 18, Obama will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, and do more sightseeing, before traveling to South Korea.

November 18-19 - SEOUL

Obama arrives in Seoul the night of November 18. The morning of the 19th, he holds a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, after which the two will hold a press conference.

Obama will then meet with U.S. troops stationed in Korea, before leaving on his trip back to the United States, where he is scheduled to arrive early on November 20.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Eric Walsh)