In a way, the visit of top Japanese statesman Shinzo Abe to Hawaii is about returning a favor. Earlier this year, Barack Obama becomes the first US President in office to go to the atomic-destroyed region of Hiroshima.
Before the year ends, Japan's Prime Minister will be visiting Pearl Harbor 75 years after the former American naval stronghold was bombed by Japanese zero fighters. However, pretty much like what Obama did, no apologies will be issued.
According to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Abe's trip is about comforting the souls of those who perished during the World War 2 attack. He adds that the event is about the expression of reconciliation between the two nations.
Although it is likely that American war veterans will be disheartened by the absence of atonement from the Japanese government, Abe is hopeful that his visit will further strengthen the relations between the former adversaries.
Observers also believe that the Prime Minister's visit extends a message to upcoming US President Donald Trump and regional power China. While Beijing has maligned Japan for its brutal role during the Second World War, the President-elect has scrutinized Tokyo for depending heavily on the US for defending its sovereignty.
Abe's trip to Hawaii can provide a huge boost to his already high ratings back home. Currently, the Prime Minister's popularity score is about 60 percent. Adding a few more percentage will give him enough power to wield influence before the 2018 elections set in.
At this point in time, it will be strategic for Abe to call for snap polls against an unprepared opposition. Doing so will lessen the drop in the Prime Minister's ruling party which still holds two-thirds of the majority in the chamber.
Columbia University Professor emeritus Gerry Curtis shares that Abe's plan to go to Pearl Harbor has already been under the radar during Obama's visit to Hiroshima. The reciprocity approach will be vital since it signifies that the two nations have buried any grudge that stemmed out during the war when the Americans atomically bombed the prefecture in 1945.
