Performance for Alliance

Being proud of making a historical visit to Pearl Harbor, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a speech on U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, standing side by side with United States President Barack Obama on Monday. Japanese newspapers ran a huge headline reading “Abe Appeals Power of Reconciliation.” Here is his conclusion: That’s why I reinterpret Article 9 of the Constitution or send troops to South Sudan with operation of rushing guarding to deepen Japan-U.S. alliance.

Ignoring devastation brought by inhumane weapons of mass destruction called atomic bomb, Abe thanked America for their tolerance, saying “it was United States that opened the path for Japan to return to the international community once more after the war.” “What I want to appeal to the people of the world here at Pearl Harbor, together with President Obama, is this power of reconciliation,” told Abe. He elaborated that Japan and U.S. took responsibility for appealing the world about the importance of tolerance and the power of reconciliation.

The reports in Japan did not miss the fact that Abe escaped from referring to Pearl Harbor attack or historical meaning of World War II, which would have led to apology or reflection. The opposite parties of Abe criticized his speech as not based on deep regret to the war of aggression. President of Democratic Party, Renho, argued that Abe needed to make peace through international cooperation, not demonstrating military power, if he had wanted to show power of reconciliation.

Making a clear contrast, Obama focused on his interpretation of history of devastation. “As nations, and as people, we cannot choose the history that we inherit,” told Obama, “But we can choose what lessons to draw from it, and use those lessons to chart our own future.” Obama argued that United States and Japan chose friendship and peace “after one of the most horrific chapters in human history.” For Obama, fighting hatred was otagai no tame ni, or with and for each other.

Obama did not forget to praise the military cooperation between both nations. “And today, the alliance between the United States and Japan – bound not only by shared interests, but also rooted in common values – stands as the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia Pacific and a force for progress around the globe,” insisted Obama. For him, the alliance has never been stronger.

It was simply a demonstration for a nation once suffered from Japanese aggression. “From the viewpoint of Asian victims, it would be more meaningful for a criminal to make one sincere and deep reflection than repeating shrewd performances for a number of time,” announced Spokeswoman of Chinese Ministry on Foreign Affairs, Hua Chunying. China is closely watching how Japan will make close relationship with next U.S. President.