Full coverage: South China Sea Is Indisputable Part of China

By Hou Jun, doctor major in International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University

United States President Barack Obama is expected to visit Hiroshima, Japan, the site where American forces had dropped its first atomic bomb, in efforts to enhance the US-Japan alliance.

Obama seeks stronger US-Japan alliance for his legacy

Obama has endorsed the “Asia Pacific Re-balancing Strategy” to target China, in which Japan plays a more prominent role. Meanwhile, Obama is calling for “a nuclear-free world,” while Tokyo continues to claim it was a victimized country of nuclear weapons.

US helps Japan play the victim card

The US and Japanese governments have worked together to contain China. Tokyo supports Washington’s diplomacy and military affairs to enhance its own strength, which serve as a kill two birds with one stone tactic.

During the latest G7's foreign minister, Hiroshima summit, Japan had succeeded in getting foreign ministers to pass a declaration on the South China Sea issue. 

Tokyo is using Obama’s Japan visit to restrain Beijing. The Japanese government has called for a US high-level visit to its atomic bomb sites. Accordingly, Obama’s visit to Hiroshima has thrilled them.

Although Japan claims to aspire for world peace, Tokyo continues to ignore its past as a war injuring party during World War II., but portrays itself as a victim in the international community.

US and Japan are not on the same page

Before Obama’s visit, news had broken out that an American soldier in Okinawa had murdered a Japanese woman, which casts a dark shadow over closer bilateral ties. Both sides have downplayed the issue but that’s an insult to the Japanese nation, and had sparked fierce street protests in Okinawa.

There’s an unequal relationship between the US and Japan. Meanwhile, the South Korean government has voiced dissatisfaction over the US favoring Japan. As real victims, South Korea has felt sensitive about the US-Japan-South Korea alliance.

The “Asia Pacific Rebalancing Strategy” is not roses all the way after all. Obama will not give an apology to the Japanese people when visiting Hiroshima. The US is shielding Japan to boost bilateral ties, supporting an enhanced military alliance that may likely disturb regional peace.

( The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )

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