Japanese Prime Minister’s visit to Pearl Harbor comes as Japan prepares to build a new relationship with Donald Trump, who will take over from President Barack Obama next month. And Shinzo Abe’s journey to Pearl Harbor will be part of a December 26 to 27 trip to Obama’s home state, where they will hold talks and visit the war site together.

The White House said Obama will meet with Abe on December 27 and accompany him to the USS Arizona Memorial to honor those killed. Abe was the first foreign leader to meet Trump after the election.

Abe stressed he wants his meeting with Obama to highlight the two countries’ current close relationship, and “make it an opportunity to send a message to the world that the two countries will further strengthen and maintain our alliance towards the future.”

According to the Pentagon, Japan hosts nearly 50,000 U.S. troops and pays about U.S.$1.6 billion annually for the deployment.