Shinzo Abe's Visit to Pearl Harbor

The Prime Minister of Japan said on Monday that he would visit Pearl Harbor, the first Japanese leader to do so in the 75 years since the surprise attack that drew the United States into World War II.Mr. Abe said he would travel to the naval base on the island of O’ahu, Hawaii between Dec. 26 and 27.President Barack Obama recently made an historic trip to Hiroshima, the sight of one of the United States’ nuclear attacks on the Japanese nation. Two atom bombs, dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ended the war that the Japanese began on Dec. 7, 1941 with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Hundreds of thousands of United States troops lost their lives as a result.“We must never repeat the horror of war,” Mr. Abe said on Monday. “I want to express that determination as we look to the future, and at the same time send a message about the value of U.S.-Japanese reconciliation.

75-year anniversary of Pearl Harbor marks important milestone

The 75^th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, which took place on Dec. 7, 1941, is tomorrow. The attack, which caught the United States off guard, was launched by the Japanese’ fleet of aircraft carriers which deployed fighters and bombers to within striking distance of Hawaii.The planes killed more than 2,000 Americans and sank multiple U.S. ships including the battleship Arizona, which is now a part of the Pearl Harbor memorial.In Japan, politicians still pay homage to the “heroes” of Pearl Harbor, and the subject is a delicate one. There is a museum exhibit for the aviators who fought in the battle near Hiroshima, and the Japanese have refused to apologize for the attack. Many politicians claim the attack was warranted because of the American-led oil embargo at the time.In August, Mr. Abe’s wife visited Pearl Harbor and the Arizona memorial, which laid rumors that the Prime Minister himself would soon follow.Josh Earnest, the White House Press Secretary, said that both Obama and Abe will visit the memorial together.“The two leaders’ visit will showcase the power of reconciliation that has turned former adversaries into the closest of allies, united by common interests and shared values,” Mr. Earnest said.