A gentle rap on Abe's knuckles

Japanese PM's visit to Yasukuni Shrine may have displeased the US but it's unlikely to change the terms of their alliance

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 Class-A war criminals, on Dec 26 drawing the condemnation of the international community. This time even the United States, which usually is indifferent to senior Japanese officials visiting the shrine, was disappointed with Abe's action.

Many observers see the dissatisfaction expressed by the US embassy in Japan, and the Defense and State departments over Abe's visit to the shrine as an unwelcome sign for Japan. Why is the Barack Obama administration so disappointed with Abe?