Japan's Abe seeks to showcase close U.S. ties on landmark visit

By Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will host Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for White House talks on Tuesday to showcase newly strengthened defense ties and advance a long-delayed Pacific trade deal as the two allies seek to counter China’s rising influence in Asia. The official agenda is intended to highlight how times have changed for the former bitter World War Two enemies – even though some sticking points remain. When Obama and Abe meet, they will put t