Obama to become first sitting president to visit Hiroshima

President Obama will make a historic visit later this month.

(Image credit: Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images)

published 10 May 2016

President Obama plans to travel to Hiroshima during a trip to Japan later this month, and in doing so he will become the first sitting president to visit the site of the 1945 atomic bombing. "The President will make an historic visit to Hiroshima with Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe to highlight his continued commitment to pursuing peace and security in a world without nuclear weapons," a statement from Obama's press secretary said.

Jimmy Carter also visited Hiroshima, but after the end of his presidency. Obama, however, is reportedly visiting the site less in memory of World War II and more to "offer a forward-looking vision focused on our shared future," according to communications adviser Ben Rhodes.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.