At a time of tensions rising in Asia, President Obama visited Japan after almost two decades where the formal proceeding included an inspection of the guard in a ceremony with Emperor Akihito.
In speaking with the newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, he clearly stated his support for Japan, in saying, “The policy of the United States is clear – the Senkaku Islands are administered by Japan and therefore fall within the scope of Article 5 of the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.”
After the ceremony, not only did Obama meet a number of dignitaries at the ceremony but he also visited a small underground sushi restaurant and for which, he showed his fondness after he completed his meal with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
This ceremony was followed up by a formal summit with the Prime Minister along with a visit to the Meiji Jingu shrine as well as a state dinner in the evening.
The manner in which the President has been treated shows that this visit is of great importance to Japan that is hoping the United States will support them if there is a disagreement over the sovereignty of a small chain of islands in East China Sea.
And while Washington has pledged its support in case a row arises, it’s clear that they find Abe to be the dynamic leader that they’ve hoped for despite his nationalistic impulses and his affinity for a shrine that hails senior war criminals as war heroes.
Alternatively, Obama is due to tighten sanctions on Russia for not being able to keep the terms of an agreement made by Moscow in Geneva pertaining to the Ukraine crisis.