Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Visits U.S.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on Sunday, kick-starting his week-long visit to the U.S, and marking the first visit by a Japanese prime minister to the United States in nine years. Abe’s time in Boston was marked by visits to the site of the 2013 Boston marathon bombing, guest lectures at Harvard University and MIT, and dinner with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. On Monday, Abe arrived in Washington, D.C., where he visited Arlington National Cemetery and then toured the Lincoln Memorial with President Obama. Come Wednesday, all eyes will be on Abe who is scheduled to deliver a highly anticipated speech to Congress—a first for a Japanese leader—on topics including U.S.-Japanese economic relations, U.S.-Japanese military cooperation, and Japan’s new military policy on collective self-defense; whether or not Abe will use this opportunity to address Japan's wartime past remains to be seen. Abe's visit will focus on strengthening ties between Tokyo and Washington, as well as to bolster the image of Japan as a key player in the Asia Pacific.