WASHINGTON: President Obama welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the White House for a day of ceremonial pomp and tough talk about free trade.
The state visit comes as American and Japanese negotiators try to put the finishing touches on their section of a massive trade agreement involving the United States and a dozen Pacific Rim nations.
“Ours is an alliance that is focused on the future,” Obama said during the South Lawn ceremony welcoming Abe, including “trade that is fair and free.”
Among the sticking points that remain: American tariffs on Japanese pickup trucks, and Japanese barriers to U.S. farming products.
Abe, speaking through an interpreter, told Obama that “our bilateral relationship is more robust than ever,” one that is “addressing regional and global challenges while developing our bilateral ties with the United States in a consistent manner.”
Domestically, Obama is pushing fellow Democrats to back trade promotion authority, a bill that would give the president the right to put together a final trade agreement and present it to Congress for an up-or-down vote.
Some Democrats, such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, say free trade agreements wind up shipping U.S. jobs to other countries that have lower wage and environmental standards.
Abe arrived at the White House for a traditional trumpets-and-flourishes ceremony on featuring military bands and a rainbow of flags. Abe, standing at attention alongside Obama, received a 19-gun salute as the band played the national anthem of Japan, and hundreds of guests on the lawn stood at attention.
Each leader introduced the other to high-ranking officials in their respective governments. Obama and Abe later reviewed a parade of troops before making brief statements.
The day will end with a state dinner at the White House. Japan native Masaharu Morimoto — a star on Iron Chef — will help prepare the meal featuring an American version of Japanese Wagyu beef. Diners will have the option of silverware or chopsticks.
After dinner, Abe and some 300 guests will be entertained by cast members from the film of the musical Jersey Boys.
The two leaders also hold a midday news conference.
While the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership is expected to dominate the talks, Obama and Abe have other items on their agenda. They include the rise of China, U.S. military assistance to Japan, and Japanese friction with South Korea.
Abe’s state visit is another reminder of the massive changes in U.S.-Japanese relations over the last century.
The United States entered World War II after Japan attacked an American fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. Four years later, the United States, seeking to avoid a ground invasion of Japan, inaugurated the nuclear age with atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki that ended history’s bloodiest conflict.
Today, Obama said, Japan is “one of America’s closest allies in the world.” He said Abe’s visit is a chance for Americans, especially our young people, to say thank you for all the things we love from Japan, like karate and karaoke … Manga and anime. … And, of course, emojis.”
On Wednesday, Abe is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress.
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As nations around the globe commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the shadow of that conflict trails Abe to the United States.
Some observers, including government officials in South Korea, are demanding that the Japanese leader address the use of Korean women as sex slaves by soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army during the war.
