Guess who plans to visit Pearl Harbor this summer?
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko plan to visit Pearl Harbor around July, sources close to Japan-U.S. relations said Sunday.I honestly don't know how it could be political exploitation. Emperor Hirohito visited the United States back in the 1970's. The visit this summer is notable, but I got no feelings one way or the other. I'm sure it will handled in a solemn way.The visit to the scene of Japan's surprise attack that ushered in the Pacific War would take place on the Imperial Couple's way back from an official trip to Canada planned for this summer, with the Japanese and U.S. governments working to finalize the schedule, the sources said.
Such an event would symbolize the postwar reconciliation between the two countries as no sitting Japanese prime minister has gone to Pearl Harbor. House of Representatives Speaker Yohei Kono visited in December.
The Imperial Couple has a track record of making pilgrimages to war-linked places, including Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Okinawa in 1995 for the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, and Saipan, a commonwealth territory of the United States, in 2005 for the 60th anniversary.
The Emperor and Empress weighed a visit to Pearl Harbor when they made an official trip to the United States in June 1994 and stayed in Hawaii, but decided against it in light of criticism that it would constitute political exploitation of the Emperor.
Hat tip- Japundit
Permalink | Linking Blogs | Sphere: Related Content | Digg this! | FARK It!
Filed under:
News
Comments (6)
Is the 'One' going to make ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Gmac | March 3, 2009 8:25 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Is the 'One' going to make it a joint appearance?
1. Posted by Gmac | March 3, 2009 8:25 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 3, 2009 08:25
2. Posted by hermie | March 3, 2009 8:55 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Obama will apologize for the damage to Japanese pilots' eardrums from the noise made by all those exploding US warships.
2. Posted by hermie | March 3, 2009 8:55 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on March 3, 2009 08:55
3. Posted by moseby | March 3, 2009 9:20 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
And yes the Japanese will get billions in earmarks to cover those damaged eardrums courtesy of our "dazzling urbanite" in the WH.
3. Posted by moseby | March 3, 2009 9:20 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 3, 2009 09:20
4. Posted by moseby | March 3, 2009 9:22 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Kudos to whoever resurected the Mariah Carey side-boob add--------------->
4. Posted by moseby | March 3, 2009 9:22 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 3, 2009 09:22
5. Posted by GarandFan | March 3, 2009 11:30 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The Japanese are trying to score political points. They're not happy with Obama and Clinton sucking up to the Chinese to loan us more money for Obama's social programs. Last thing the Japanese want is to be thrown under the bus for the convenience of Obama/Chinese cooperation.
5. Posted by GarandFan | March 3, 2009 11:30 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 3, 2009 11:30
6. Posted by Denise | March 3, 2009 10:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The article said it would be an unofficial visit if they did go to Pearl Harbor while traveling. Doesn't sound too political to me. It would be a nice gesture and should have happened sooner.
6. Posted by Denise | March 3, 2009 10:44 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 3, 2009 22:44