In the 70 years since the U.S. made peace with Japan after World War II, the two have gone from bitter enemies to strong trading partners and close allies.Threats from a rising China, and Beijing’s claims to islands that Japan considers its own, have made that alliance even closer.On an April visit to Tokyo, President Obama offered Japan much-welcomed reassurances that the U.S. stands by its treaty commitments to defend Japan.“Let me reiterate that our treaty commitment to Japan's security is absolute, and Article 5 covers all territories under Japan's administration, including the Senkaku Islands," he said.To make the point, the U.S. is preparing a rare, lavish welcome that will include a White House ceremony, a joint news conference, and a state dinner.Abe will be the first Japanese prime minister to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress.Meredith Miller isan analyst with the National Bureau of Asian Research,“I think one of the things that the U.S. definitely wants to do is to send a strong signal not only to China but also to the rest of the region and to the Japanese people that we value the alliance."The rising threat from China combined with U.S. military downsizing, and lingering U.S. economic weakness, are feeding the need for reassurances among the Japanese.The Obama administration has touted a shift of its focus to Asia that goes beyond sending more ships and troops to the region.Trade is an important component of that rebalance, and now the U.S. wants to show off the progress it is making toward a regional trade deal.
