US First Lady Michelle Obama will travel to Japan later this month, part of a drive to promote girls' education around the world.

The White House said Tuesday that Obama will visit Tokyo and the historic city of Kyoto from March 18 to 20 before moving on to Siem Reap, Cambodia, close to the famous temples of Angkor.

The trip is part of the "Let Girls Learn" initiative, encouraging adolescent girls to complete their studies.

According to the White House, 62 million girls are not in school, more than half of them adolescent, making them more vulnerable to disease, abuse and poverty.

Later Tuesday, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama will announce measures to expand US government support for the education-focused program.