President Obama’s Hiroshima Visit: How it Happened and Why No Apology was Expected in Japan

Author: Tomohiko Taniguchi

Categories: View from Tokyo: Tomo Taniguchi's Take

On May 27, 2016 in Hiroshima, Japan, President Barack Obama delivered one of his best speeches ever, crafted and delivered so masterfully that it will likely leave a lasting legacy. In Hiroshima he towered above any politicking, which can easily get nasty in our less-than-ideal world, especially in an election year. What was behind his visit to Hiroshima? In retrospect many actions and events—some planned, some not—merged to pave the way for President Obama to fulfill his wish to visit Hiroshima while in office.

Tags: a view from tokyo, ambassador roos, Barack Obama, Caroline Kennedy, election, Hiroshima, john roos, joint session, Politics, president obama, Shinzo Abe, tomohiko taniguchi, World War II, yasukuni shrine