Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Pearl Harbor with President Obama later this month, becoming the first Japanese leader to visit the site of the attack on Hawaii 75 years ago that thrust America in the World War II. We’d like to send messages about the importance of reconciliation [between the two countries],” Abe told reporters in Tokyo. The White House welcomed Abe's decision, confirming that Obama would accompany Abe to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor to honor those killed. [In Hiroshima, Obama calls for end of nuclear weapons]There had been speculation that Abe would reciprocate Obama’s Hiroshima visit by coming to Pearl Harbor during the final days of Obama’s presidency. The prime minister's wife, Akie Abe, visited Pearl Harbor in August, laying flowers at the USS Arizona Memorial and meeting a survivor of the attack.

Source: Washington Post December 05, 2016 10:42 UTC